#and those 10 seconds left look so dramatic ~ | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

athenamikaelson · 6 months ago

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Klaus Mikaelson x Soulmate!Reader x Elijah Mikaelson Pt.

Word Count- 5.5k

Warnings- Swearing, violence, spoilers for canon, abusive dads, trauma, reader having bad responses to her trauma.

“Wait, you’re telling me that I miss ghosts coming back and terrorizing Damon just because I went to a doctor’s appointment?”

I deadpan at Ric as he looked over a bunch of pictures and drawings they had found in some mystery tunnel.

“That’s what you get for going to the doctor,” Damon smirks at me as he and Elena spar.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Demon. Next time I just won’t get shot,” I shoot a glare at him and he rolls his eyes. Elena uses this moment to try to throw a punch at the vampire but Damon easily catches it.

Elena sighs defeated and then turns to me, “How did your appointment go? Any good news?”

I roll my left shoulder and then shrug, “Nothing really new. The doctor did say I’m healing faster than anyone he’s seen before though,” This gains all three of their attention, “He chalked it up to my wonderful youth.”

“Well that’s good,” Elena smiles happily.

“And he said he liked my birthmark.”

“You have a birthmark?”

I look over to Ric who is looking at me questionably.

“Ya, she’s got like a smudge on her shoulder,” Damon jests and I glare at him.

“It’s not a smudge you asshat.”

“Don’t be mean Damon,” Elena defends me, “Personally I love Y/N’s birthmark. I think it’s cute. Almost looks kinda like the moon.”

I walk over to Elena and we both glare at the blue-eyed vamp who just rolls his eyes again.

“Thank you, my love,” I look over to my best friend who is sporting a light pink tint to her cheeks at the nickname.

“Of course, my beautiful best friend,” Elena smiles back and we both giggle.

“Can y'all just kiss and get it over with,” Damon groans out.

“You wish you had a boyfriend the way I have my girlfriend, Damon. Your jealousy is oozing off of you,” I smile at the man and he purses his lips and then goes over to Ric.

A buzzing in my pocket has me separating from my friend and grabbing my phone.

“Oh shit,” I whisper out and quickly grab my jacket off a nearby chair.

“Where are you going,” Elena asks to me as I book it to the front door.

“Theo’s tire popped and he’s supposed to be at practice in 2 minutes. So I have to go rescue him. Toddles!”

—

“Thanks for picking me up,” I groan as Theo grabs his football padding from the trunk of my car and puts them into my arms.

“Ya, whatever,” I struggle to carry it all as Theo closes the trunk and makes me follow him towards the school.

“Dude take your shit before I drop it,” I groan out to my brother who turns back and gives me a look before dramatically sighing and grabbing the gear from my hands.

“You need to start hitting weights. I’m bulking up this season so you can join me,” My brother says excitedly.

I stare at him in disgust, “Oh ya cause that sounds like great sibling bonding time to me.”

“Do you know how many people would kill to be my sibling,” Theo asks and I shoot him a blank look.

“Many people, nerd. Many a people,” I fight the urge to laugh at my brother’s dramatics as his mood instantly brightens, “There’s the guys! I got to go, see you later nerd.”

I stand there for a moment as I watch my brother run off to his teammates. Oddly enough though after going like 10 feet he stops and turns around. He quickly runs over to me and for a second I think he’s going to knock me down but instead, he balances his gear on one hand, and with the other he side-hugs me.

“Even though other people want to be my sibling, I wouldn’t want any of those hoes,” Theo lets go of me and gives me a boyish grin, “You’re kind of a cool sister. Even if you are a nerd.”

Theo turns back around and I can’t fight the huge smile that comes over my face as I watch my little brother instantly start bickering with his teammates.

“You guys have a cute relationship,” A feminine British voice makes my smile instantly drop.

“Hello Rebekah,” I turn around and come face to face with the pretty blonde Mikaelson.

“That’s your little brother I assume. He looks just like you,” She smiles at me but I don’t return it.

“What do you want?”

Rebekah doesn’t seem to be unsettled by my prickly attitude as she continues talking.

“I was wondering if you’d like to get lunch with me. Or perhaps go dress shopping? Homecoming is coming up and I’ve never been to one so I could use some help.”

My eyes narrow in confusion, “You’ve never been to a homecoming? Aren’t you like a million years old?”

Rebekah seems momentarily annoyed by my comment but quickly brushes it off, “I spent much of my life following my brothers around. Neither of which care for the dramatics that come with high school. So no, I haven’t been to a high school dance.”

I think about what she said for a moment and a smirk graces my lips at the thought of posh Elijah at a homecoming dance.

“You’re not missing out on much,” I pick at the thread of my shirt, “I mean, not that I would know. I’ve never been to one either.”

At this Rebekah frowns, “You’ve never been! Why not?”

I shrug at Rebekah’s question, “Public places with tons of people aren’t really my thing. I’d rather be alone than be in a room with a bunch of drunk, loud teenagers.”

I move around the Original and start walking towards my car but inwardly groan when I hear her footsteps behind me.

“Great! Then we can experience it for the first time together!”

I bite my lip in anger and whip around, “What are you doing?”

Rebekah’s face morphs into one of confusion, “What do you mean?”

I gesture to her and then to me, “This! Why are you trying so hard to be around me? Did your brother put you up to this? He’s already making Alastair follow me around like a dog, so what about you?”

At my outburst, the girl frowns, “I heard about what my brother did. His ways of caring for people aren’t always shown in the best ways,” She smiles softly at me, “But I swear to you my brother didn’t put me up to this. I just…would like a friend…I would like you to be my friend.”

I look at Rebekah and try to find any signs of deceit in her face but I can’t seem to find any.

“You can’t just have friends, Rebekah. Friendships are built on trust. I can’t be friends with you unless you prove to me that I can trust you.”

Rebekah seems to take this as a approval as she quickly nods her head, “Great! Then I’ll just make you trust me. Can I have your phone number so I can text you? That’s what it is called right? I’m still quite new to this ages technology.”

I sigh and then reach out my hand and Rebekah smiles grabbing her phone from her pocket and placing it in my hand. I go to her contacts and type in my number and hand the phone back to the smiling blonde.

I turn around and head to my car but hear the blonde call after me.

“I’ll text you!”

—

Rebekah wasn’t joking when she said she’d text me because approximately an hour later I’m pulling up to the Salvatore house because she practically begged me to meet her here.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?”

I turn around and spot Elena getting out of her SUV.

“Rebekah asked me to come,” I frown at my friend’s worried expression, “What are you doing here?”

“She asked me to come as well.”

Elena and I warily eye each other for a moment before walking up to the front door. Elena goes first as she pushes the front door open and my ears are assaulted by loud pop music.

Elena shoots me a look over her shoulder and I shrug as we make our way into the foyer. We begin walking into the living room but stop when a smiling She-Klaus walks over to us with champagne in her hands.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“You invited me over to talk,” Elena says from beside me, not matching Rebekah’s cheery attitude.

“I’m not exactly sure why I’m here,” I raise a finger.

Rebekah looks at us and then turns around, “Alright, girls. Have at it.”

I’m confused on who she’s talking to for a moment but then when a group of girls wearing homecoming dresses enter the living room in a line, I have my answer.

“What the hell,” I whisper to Elena who looks as shocked and confused as me.

“Okay, now twirl, please,” Rebekah asks the girls and I watch in disgust as they all oblige.

“You’ve compelled your own private runway show?”

I nod along to Elena’s question because I’m also thinking the same.

“I need a homecoming dress. So what do you think? Pick one” Rebekah says as if this is totally normal behavior.

“I know you’re new to this whole thing…and century. But most people just go to the store and try on the dresses. Not compel a bunch of innocent girls to parade around in them.”

Rebekah frowns at me.

“We’re not here to help you shop. I’m here to talk about why you don’t want me to wake up Mikael.”

Rebekah smirks at Elena’s comment for a moment before flashing behind a blonde girl. I jump back slightly as I watch her fangs protrude from her gums as she puts them near the girl's throat.

Elena takes a step forward and I follow.

“I said pick one, Elena.”

Elena looks a me for a moment before pointing to one of the girls, “The red one.”

“There,” Rebekah smooths out the blonde girl's hair, “That wasn’t so hard, was it? Go away. Remember nothing.”

I watch disturbed as the girls walk back out of the room and Rebekah comes back over to us.

“You do not threaten me,” Rebekah stares Elena down and I move slightly in front of my friend, “You will learn what I allow you to learn. Is that clear?”

Elena nods from beside me and Rebekah moves around us and out of the room. Elena and I shoot each other another look before following the girl upstairs and into Stefan’s room where Rebekah is starting to go through the broody vampire’s things.

“We shouldn’t be here,” Elena says standing next to me in the doorway.

“Of course, we should,” Rebekah says as she picks up a pair of boxers, making me frown in disgust, “Come on. Like you’ve never wanted to snoop. Boxer briefs. Now that’s a change from the ‘20s.”

“Ew. TMI.”

“Are you gonna root through his stuff all night or are you gonna start to tell us your story?”

Rebekah sighs, “You really are no fun,” She turns to me, “Why are you friends with such a bore?”

“One thing you should learn about me Rebekah,” I glare at the blonde, “I am not friends with people who insult my friends.”

Rebekah stares at me for a moment before rolling her eyes and muttering something under her breath.

“What do you want to know?”

Elena takes a step into the room, “Elijah said that your father was a landowner in Europe. How did you guys end up here?”

At the mention of the suited Original, a warm feeling brushes my cheeks.

“My parents had just started a family when a plague struck their homeland. They lost a child to it. They wanted to escape and protect their future family from the same fate.”

A wave of sadness washes over me at the mention of Rebekah losing her sibling. I couldn’t imagine what I would do if I ever lost Theo. No matter how many headaches he gives me, the boy is practically my son.

“So how did you end up here,” Elena prods, “This part of the world hadn’t been discovered yet.”

Rebekah scoffs, “Not by anyone in your history books. But my mother knew the witch Ayana who heard from the spirits of a mystical land where everyone was healthy. Blessed by the gifts of speed and strength. That led my family here where we lived amongst those people.”

“The werewolves?”

“To us, they were just our neighbors. My family lived in peace with them for over 20 years during which my family had more children including me.”

“So… technically you’re American?”

My question has both of the girls shooting me frowns but I lightly laugh at myself for the comment.

“You make it sound so normal,” Elena comments.

Rebekah walks towards a window and for a second I can see a thoughtful smile on her face, “It was. Once a month our family retreated to the caves underneath our village. The wolves would howl through the night and by morning we’d return home. One full moon, Klaus and my youngest brother Henrik snuck out to watch the men turn into beasts. That was forbidden. Henrik paid the price.”

A deep breath escapes my lips as the girl continues her story.

“And that was the beginning of the end of peace with our neighbors,” Rebekah turns back to look at us, “And one of the last moments my family had together as humans.”

The buzzing of Elena’s phone distracts us.

Rebekah coughs, “You better get that. That’ll be…Damon checking up on you.”

Elena turns around and answers the call as I walk over to Stefan’s desk and start rummaging through his things. I never said I was a Saint.

“Was that Stefan?’’

Elena’s question has me turning around and frowning.

“Damon, how could you let him out,” Elena exclaims and I frown.

“That didn’t sound good.”

—

“Did you get your fill of snooping yet,” Elena asks Rebekah who is lying down on Stefan’s bed reading one of his many diaries, “Can we get on with the story?”

I watch from my seat on the floor as Rebekah throws the book onto the bed and stands up. She walks over to the desk by Elena and picks up a framed picture of the couple.

“Honestly, I don’t get you two as a couple,” Rebekah shakes her head at my friend.

“Why would you? You don’t know anything about who he really is,” Elena defends and Rebekah smiles at her and puts the frame back down.

Rebekah leans down to make eye contact with my friend and I straighten up, “I know exactly who he is. He’s a vampire. We’re a predatory species. We don’t have time to care about humans and their silly little lives.”

“I don’t believe that,” I say but they don’t hear me. Or at least don’t acknowledge me.

“Is that why you did that runway show earlier,” Elena snarks back and I bite my lip nervously as I have the feeling that a catfight is about to begin, “Because you don’t care about the homecoming dance?”

Rebekah stands up and Elena nods at her, “You know what? I’m just gonna go,” She turns to me, “Y/N you coming?”

I groan as I can practically hear my bones creaking as I stand up.

“You haven’t even heard half the story,” Rebekah calls to Elena.

Elena turns around to her, “And you’re not going to tell it. You’re just bored and looking for someone to push around. Find someone else to play with. Maybe you can compel yourself a friend.”

OOP.

“The necklace wasn’t Stefan’s to give,” At Rebekah’s words I instantly sit my ass back down. This time on the comfy mattress.

“It belonged to the original witch.”

Elena turns around, “The one who put the hybrid curse on Klaus?”

“Not just the hybrid curse. She’s the one who turned us into vampires.”

My mouth drops open, “Bomb drop…”

—

“Vampirism was a form of protection?”

Elena asks as Rebekah continues telling her story as we make our way down the stairs.

“What else would it be?”

“A curse.”

“My parents only sought a way of keeping their children alive,” Rebekah answers.

“Yeah, but why stay? If they were so afraid of the werewolves why not leave?”

“Pride,” Rebekah says as she steps off the last stair and turns back to us, “My father didn’t want to run anymore. He wanted to fight and be superior to the wolves. Where they could bite we had to bite harder. Where they had speed we had to be faster. Agility, strength, senses.’’

Rebekah continues telling us the story of how the spell of vampirism came down to her mother’s hands since the other witch wouldn’t help them.

“In her hands? How could she do anything?”

Elena asks and I feel like I already know the answer. I mean if they’re called “The Originals,” I’m assuming the “Original” witch has something to do with them.

“Because my mother was also a witch.”

“What?”

“The witch of the original family.”

“The original witch,” I finish for her and Rebekah smirks at me.

We make our way into the living room and I plant myself on my favorite couch.

“Where do they keep their best vintage,” Rebekah asks.

“But if your mother was a witch then..”

“Am I? No,” The vampire finishes, “A witch is nature’s servant. A vampire is an abomination of nature. You can either be one or the other never both,” Rebekah fishes out a bottle of wine and then turns to Elena, “My mother did this for us. She did not turn.”

“How did you turn?”

Rebekah pours herself a glass and then walks over to the fireplace, “She called upon the sun for life and the ancient white oak tree one of nature’s eternal objects, for immortality. That night, my father offered us wine laced with blood.”

I almost gag at that.

“And then he drove his sword through our hearts.”

My heart clenches as Rebekah’s voice slightly cracks.

“He killed you,” Elena says.

“And he wasn’t delicate about it either,” Rebekah says with tears and her eyes and quickly breaks the cap off the wine bottle.

“We had to drink more blood to complete the ritual. It was euphoric. The feeling of power was indescribable. But the witch Ayana was right about consequences. The spirits turned on us and nature fought back. For every strength, there would be a weakness. The sun became our enemy. It kept us indoors for weeks. Although my mother found a solution. There were other problems. Neighbors who had opened their homes for us could now keep us out. Flowers at the base of the white oak burned and prevented compulsion. And the spell decreed that the tree that gave us life could also take it away. So we burned it to the ground.”

Metal.

“But the darkest consequence is something my parents never anticipated. The hunger. Blood had made us reborn and it was blood that we craved above all else. We could not control it. And with that… the predatory species was born.”

“I need a cigarette,” I say out loud as I sigh into my hands at the migraine of an origin story.

“Why did Mikael start hunting Klaus,” Elena asks not giving anyone time to catch their breaths.

“When Nik made his first human kill,” Nik? “It triggered his werewolf gene. With that, he came my father’s greatest shame.”

“Yeah,” Elena responds, “Elijah told us this part of the story. Your mother had had an affair with one of the werewolf villagers.”

I look down at my hands as Elena and Rebekah continue speaking about Klaus’ father and I have to fight back showing any emotion as I think back to my own father, or not father I guess.

“She tried to make it right. She put the hybrid curse on Nik to suppress his werewolf side and then she turned her back on him. But Mikael’s greatest weakness as a human was his pride. As a vampire that was magnified. He went on a rampage and killed half the village.”

Here, I thought my father leaving his family was the worst thing one could do in that situation.

“Then he came home and killed her.”

“Mikael killed your mother?”

“He said she broke his heart so he would hers. He tore it from her chest as Nik watched. Afterwards, my father took off in a rage and the rest of my family scattered. Nik stayed so he could help me bury her. He knew I had to say goodbye to my mother.”

I listen to the rest of Rebekah’s heartbreaking story as she recalls how she and Elijah promised Klaus that the three of them would always be together. Always and forever.

“Always and forever. Even though he locked you in a coffin for 90 years,” Elena says and I shoot a look at her.

“Dude, really?”

“We’re vampires. Our emotions are heightened. I’m stubborn, Elijah moral, and Nik…Nik has no tolerance for those who disappoint him. Over a thousand years as a family we’ve all made that mistake at least once. I’ve made it several times.”

As Rebekah’s voice softens I have to fight the urge to reach out and comfort her. Being someone who knows what it feels like to be the one disappointing a family member, I can’t help but relate and feel sorry for the girl.

“But you still love him?”

“He’s her brother, Elena,” I turn to her, “What if it were Jeremy? I know that if it were Theo, I couldn’t hate him. Even if he made my life a living hell.”

“She’s right,” Rebekah looks over to me and I can see the appreciation in her eyes, “And I’m immortal. Should I spend an eternity alone instead?”

Rebekah swallows and I think she’s about to start crying but she quickly walks by both of us, “You’ve heard the story. It’s time to go,” She turns to Elena who is just standing there, “I said leave, Elena! I don’t know what you’re up to but I am no longer playing along.”

“I’m just looking for one good reason why we shouldn’t wake Mikael.”

At Elena’s words I frown, “Are you serious Elena? The man literally killed his own children! After, abusing them their whole lives. You may have grown up in a white-picket fence family, but I didn’t. I know men like that, and men like that should stay away.”

Elena looks at me and from the look on her face, she doesn’t seem to understand why I’m defending Rebekah.

“She will anyway,” Rebekah shakes her head, “I know you want him to help you kill my brother. I’m not stupid.”

“It’s no secret that I want Klaus dead. He has a hold over Stefan’s life and over mine,” Elena points back to me, “And he’s terrorizing Y/N.”

Rebekah glares down at her, “Do what you need. Wake Mikael at your own peril. But make no mistake. If you come after my brother I will rip you apart. And I get my temper from my father. Now leave.”

Elena looks down and then back to me, “Y/N, come on.”

I look at my friend and then at the vampire, “You go. I have to talk to Rebekah.”

This seems to shock both of them, but I just stare at them blankly. Elena takes this as goodbye as she nods her head and leaves the house.

After Elena leaves Rebekah and I stand there in silence for a moment, and awkwardly I clear my throat.

“Um, I’m sorry.”

Rebekah looks over to me confused, “What are you sorry for? You did nothing to insult me, unlike your friend.”

I frown at Elena’s behavior and then play with the loose thread on my shirt, “For losing your brother. And your mother. You were just a teenage girl when that happened. You didn’t deserve to have that happen to you.”

Rebekah stares at me almost shocked before she shakes her head and walks over to the couch I’m sitting on.

“You have nothing to apologize for. It was over a thousand years ago, I’m over it.”

Rebekah sits on the seat next to me and we watch the flames of the fire.

“I don’t believe that. I think a loss like that stays with you. Even after a millennia.”

Rebekah turns to look at me and then nods her head softly, “Thank you, Y/N.”

We continue sitting in silence before I see her move out of the corner of my eye.

“What did you mean,” I turn to her in confusion as she speaks, “When you told Elena you didn’t grow up like she did and you knew about men like my father?”

At Rebekah’s question, I turn away from her curious glance and look back towards the flames, “It doesn’t matter.”

“You can tell me you know? It’s not like I have any other friends to go spill your secrets to.”

At Rebekah’s words, I bite down hard on my lip to try to stop the tears that are making their way into my eyes. The urge to finally spill on the secret that I’ve been holding in all summer, building inside of me.

“My father…growing up wasn’t the kindest man,” I say out loud trying to be careful with my words, “He was absent a lot but… those were the good moments, oddly enough, because, whenever he did come home… he was,” I stop, trying to find the right words to describe my estranged “not” father, “he was harsh. Nothing was ever good enough for him. No one was ever good enough for him. Certainly not me. He was the stereotypical macho man who thought that women weren’t equal to men. So whenever I showed strength in something, he made sure to kick me back down. Just to remember how weak I could be.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until Rebekah places a tissue into my hands. I’m not really sure where she got it but I take it and wipe away my tears.

“You mention him in past tense…is he…”

I shake my head, “No, he’s not dead. He and my mother separated about two years ago. I haven’t seen him since.”

Rebekah doesn’t say anything as she waits to see if I’ll continue and I sigh as I try to.

“I didn’t know why they did. My mother always just kind of let it happen you know? The abuse. I don’t even know if you would call it that. It’s not like he hit me or whatever. Others have had it worse. My mother though just always told me not to provoke him, not to make him mad. But, she really wasn’t ever the one who got the brunt of it,” I bite down on my lip harder, “And you want to know the worst thing about it? Three months ago my mother told me that the man that had made me cry into my pillow since I was 8 years old… wasn’t even my actual father.”

I hear Rebekah let in a breath as she continues watching me.

“How fucked up is that, you know,” I laugh with tears in my eyes at the irony of it all.

“Did she tell you who your real father was?”

I shake my head at her question, “Just the bare minimum. I’ve barely talked to her since that day anyway. It’s the reason I have my own room down the hall,” I point towards the direction of my room at the Salvatore’s, “Damon’s let me crash here the entire summer. He’s the only other person who knows.”

“Not even your brother?”

I quickly shake my head and wipe the rest of my tears away, “Especially not, Theo. He’s so young and with the move and everything I don’t want him to be stressed out.”

I can see Rebekah looking at me as if she’s trying to find the right words to say, “Is that the only reason you haven’t told him?’’

My eyebrows furrow as I keep staring at the fireplace, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you’re worried that he won’t accept you. Nik had that same fear after he found out he wasn’t Mikael’s.”

“I am not Klaus,” I bite out and she just nods.

“I know. But you can’t deny the similarities,” I don’t say anything as I try not to think of her words, “I know I haven’t been here very long but… just from seeing Theo and you a few times, I don’t think you have to worry about telling him. If he truly loves you he’ll accept you no matter what.”

I finally think about Rebkeah’s words and in doing so, don’t even notice the front door being swung open.

Rebekah sighed deeply from beside me as she stood up, “I thought I told you to leave twice.”

“How do you know Mikael killed your mother,” Elena’s question has me turning slightly to hear her better.

“Nik was there,” Rebekah says as she pours herself a drink, “He told me.”

Elena sighs and she steps closer to Rebekah, “He lied to you.”

“And how do you know that?”

Elena walks over to us and I put my face down slightly so she can’t see the dried tears on my cheeks.

“The cave where you carved your family’s names, is covered in symbols. The story of your family. How your parents arrived, how they made peace, the spell that turned them into vampires, and this,” She places a photograph on the table, “This is the symbol for hybrid. It’s the combination of the werewolf and the vampire symbol. And this is the one for your mother.”

“Her necklace.”

Elena sighs, “And this is the story of her death. The hybrid killed the original witch. Not Mikael, Klaus.”

I turn fully at them both. Surprise is most likely clear on my face.

“No,” Rebekah forcefully shakes her head, “No, he wouldn’t.”

“She put the curse on him, made it so that he would be the only one of his kind and then she rejected him. With the werewolf gene comes aggression and violence. When he turned all of that was heightened. He killed her, Rebecca, and then he made up this entire lie about your father so that he wouldn’t lose you.”

“These mean nothing. They’re just stupid drawings done by stupid people who had no idea who my family was,” Rebekah yells as she grabs the pictures and flings them into the fireplace.

Elena approaches her, “Then why are you so upset?”

“Elena stop, just leave her alone,” I tell my friend but she ignores me.

“Why are you doing this to me? I’ve done nothing to you,” Rebekah yells at her.

“Klaus killed your mother. He has a hold on you, on me, on everyone. He has for a thousand years. We have to make it stop!”

“Shut up! Just shut up! Don’t talk anymore! Nothing!”

I quickly stand up as Rebekah pushes Elena into the wall forcefully.

“Rebekah!”

After a moment Rebekah drops her hands and stands there silently with tears in her eyes. Elena and I watch cautiously but not even a moment later a sob escapes the blonde’s mouth as she drops to her knees. Elena looks over to me and I shake my head at her.

“Go.”

I don’t even check to see if she leaves as I kneel down to the sobbing girl. I place a comforting hand on her shoulder and I gasp as I’m being pulled into a hug. Rebekah holds onto me for dear life as she cries into my shoulder. And I let her.

—

I sigh as I throw my keys onto my kitchen table and sit down. I put my head in my hands and try to forget the shitshow that was tonight.

“Damn bitch!”

Theo’s screech has me whipping around in my chair in shock. My brother stands there in his satin pajamas he got for Christmas last year with a hand over his heart.

“Fucking sitting in the dark like some goddamn stalker,” Theo walks over to the light switch and I try to stop him but it’s too late.

Theo’s smirk instantly drops as he rushes over to me and places his hands on the sides of my face, “What happened? Did someone say something to you? If it was someone at school tell me and I and Jeremy will go beat their asses right now.”

My brother’s angry tone has me smiling for a moment but before I can stop it tears are streaming out of my eyes and a sob escapes my mouth.

My little brother just stands there awkwardly as he pats my shoulder.

“Do you want to talk about it? Um, should I call Elena or Mom?”

At the mention of our mother, I quickly shake my head, “No. I’m fine. Just a long day and all. I just need some sleep. Go back to bed, Theodore.”

Theo shakes his head and tries to deny my request but I shoo him away. As I watch his retreating figure I sigh and take a deep breath.

“Actually Theo…there’s something we need to talk about.”

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777nicetits · 6 months ago

Text

She leaned back on her chair, legs coming up to her chest as the robotic voice read the most recent donation out loud.

makegatoradethicker sent $10

how is living with schlatt like?

The girl had a sweet smile on her face as she heard the TTS go off. "Thank you for the ten dollars!" She looked up at the camera. "How is living with Schlatt like?" She repeated the question, taking a moment to think about it. "It's pretty nice. He's pretty chill. Jambo and the little guy are definitely the best part of it though."

Her eyes went off to her second monitor, hugging her legs as she read chat.

🜲 brinzioo tell us moreeeee

harriscamm thats it???

🜲 ✪ joliieeee no fun!!!! tell us the teeeaaaa

“The tea? There’s no tea.” She laughed it off. “Okay, I’ll tell you guys this. I…” She paused for a second or two, for the dramatics of it, “Have been on a mission recently. I’ve been trying to make Schlatt eat more vegetables and fruits.”

She chuckled, watching as her chat laughed along with her.

“I already got him to try some little carrot snacks. Which were like, carrot slices with some honey, some chili pepper sprinkled on it and a side of Brazilian style seasoned mayonnaise.” She lifted her right hand closer to the camera, thumb up. “He really liked it! He ate like a full bowl. And, uh, yesterday for dinner I tried a new hidden chicken recipe that my mom sent me and, I don’t think he knows that,” she snickered, hand coming up to her mouth, “There was some broccoli in there, and he ate it all. So,” she shrugged, her lips turning into a straight line, “A win is a win, I guess.”

🜲 ✪ joliieeee omg girl 😭 you make it sound like he’s a little toddler

She laughed loudly at the comment, reading it out loud for the whole stream. “Honestly? He kinda gets my maternal instincts acting up sometimes. Like, he’s not stupid, but sometimes he’ll do something or say something and I’ll be like… ‘My brother in Christ, how’d you get this far?’”

chiklittle schlatt himbo comfirmed?????

🜲 chiquitamalassa KEKW

🜲 christiantryhard did bro just get sonzoned????

✪ jajajeny that is an insane sentence u just said KEKW

🜲 ☯︎︎ ♐︎ ✪ candidcandance when he makes ur maternal instincts act up >>>>

She was having the time of her life reading her chat. The second those words left her mouth she knew it’d get clipped, twitter is about to have a field day with this one.

“Okay guys, enough, enough. He’s gonna be so mad at me, you guys will have me kicked out.”

🜲 ☯︎︎ ♐︎ ✪ candidcandance he’d never kick you out bc that means he’ll have to go back to taking care of himself on his own

That made her chuckle, but her smile was quick to fade once the TTS went off once again.

jschlatt donated $100

I can’t believe you put broccoli in my food, mommy. I’ve

never felt so betrayed in my whole life.

She faced the camera, making direct eye contact with the lens as she tried her best to keep a straight face, failing miserably. She didn’t even wanted to look at chat right now. And even if she did, she wouldn’t be able to make anything out by how fast it was going.

“Mods, ban this weirdo!”

tried something here, ngl i really like it.

#jschlatt #schlatt #jschlatt x reader #schlatt x reader #i can barely keep my eyes open writing this omg 😖#some of the usernames i took from youtube comments lol

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mxrccuryy · 7 months ago

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hard to read, part one

part one | part two | part three

♡ pairing theodore nott x fem!reader ♡ summary as the quiet friend of the popular girl, you always prided yourself on being able to read people very well. why was theodore nott than so difficult to read? ♡ wordcount 1162 ♡ warnings reader is quite dense to theo’s advances, pansy and draco are becoming a couple. reader has hair that flows in the wind.

being the best friend of hogwarts it-girl, pansy parkinson, wasn’t easy. everyone was naturally drawn to to her. leaving you left forgotten. alas, you had gotten quite used to it over the years.

pansy had decided in your first year that you were the chosen one. the one who had the right to be her friend for the remainder of your career at hogwarts and hopefully afterwards as well. slytherins were loyal after all.

pansy became popular because she was friends with the other popular guys of slytherin: mattheo riddle, draco malfoy, blaise zabini, lorenzo berkshire and theodore nott. pansy tried her best to get you to be involved in everything they did. from sitting with them on the hogwarts express to little trips to hogsmeade. they sort of accepted your presence over the years. some of them even started to ask you along themselves without the request of pansy.

there was only one who seemed to be completely indifferent about you. theodore nott was a difficult person to read yet you thought that you had figured him out. he could never meet your eye when you were around and never started a conversation with you. in fact, you couldn’t remember if he ever even talked to you. he had spoken around you to the other guys or to pansy, but never just to you.

“he doesn’t like me, pans,” you whined one evening to pansy. you were lying on your back on pansy’s bed. she sat besides you staring at you like you were stupid. she had drawn the curtains shut. afterwards, pansy muttered a small silencing spell so that the other girls who shared the dorm with you couldn’t hear your girls talk.

“and what makes you think that?” pansy asked you. she had just invited you along to a hogsmeade trip with her, draco and theo. it wasn’t a secret to anyone that pansy was absolutely smitten by draco and wanted to spend as much time as possible around him. this meant that if you went with the trio, you and theo would end up alone playing as a third wheel.

“he never looks my way, for one,” you dramatically held up your pointer finger for her to see.

“second of all,” you raised your middle finger next, “he never seems happy when i’m around.”

“and third of all,” your ring finger joined the other, “he doesn’t even seem to notice my presence.”

“yes, he does,” pansy immediately cut you off, with a little smack to your knee, “he definitely notices when you're around.”

° ❀ ⋆ .ೃ ࿔ * : ･

you sighed the next morning when pansy messed with your coat. one way or another, she had managed to convince you to join her and the two boys to hogsmeade.

“you’re paying,” you said, annoyed.

“i know,” she patted your shoulder, “i know, that’s the third time you’ve said that now.”

“just so you know,” you rolled your eyes as you left the dorm and made your way towards the common room.

“there they are,” draco greeted you two with a sarcastic smile,” you said 10 o’clock, pansy.” he looked at the watch on his wrist.

“you know me, draco,” she said sweetly, looking up at him, ‘“i need time to make myself look pretty,”

“clearly,” theo joined in on the conversation. he looked you up and down with those dark eyes of him that made you want to crawl back into your skin.

there was just something about him that made you want to run as fast as you could, but when you tried he kept pulling you back. even though he wasn’t yours, you were addicted.

“can we go then,” theo turned around at once, hands safely secured in his pockets. he didn’t even wait for the rest as he just left the common room.

another sigh escaped your lips as you followed the two love birds over the cold fields of hogwarts. it was well into december at this point and a thick coat of snow covered everything. in a few days time you would be making your way home for christmas break.

normally the trip to hogsmeade wasn’t a long one. you would always make it in time for a butterbeer before you got too cold. but this time, the weather seemed to be just too cold for you. not even halfway there and your body started shivering uncontrollably.

“here,” a rough voice spoke behind you, accompanied with the feeling of a warm scarf draped around your neck.

“oh,” you said, surprised as your eyes met the stormy ones of theodore.

“you don’t have to,” you made quick work of removing the piece of fabric from around your neck. with a small smile you gave it back to a perplexed theo.

not that you could tell, he had always been so difficult to read.

without a second though about it all, you fastened your step to catch back up with the other two. hoping that the quickened pace would mean that you’d reach your butterbeer faster.

theo stayed put for a second watching how your hair flew in the wind behind you. he had no idea what just happened. pansy swore that you were into him as well.

maybe you were just as hard to read as he was.

° ❀ ⋆ .ೃ ࿔ * : ･

the hogsmeade trip went smoothly after that. you had been right in thinking that you’d be left on your devices with theo. pansy only had eyes for the boy who didn't show that he was interested in her.

“you did what?” pansy screeched, throwing her body back on the bed when you told her about what had happened earlier on in the day.

“i gave him back the scarf,” you explained, raising your shoulders like it was nothing. “it’s not like he wanted to give it to me. he was probably just annoyed that i was shivering and didn’t want me to start complaining about it,”

pansy’s eye twitched as she stared at you dumbfounded.

“why else would he-,” pansy loved you to bits but you could be stupid sometimes. “what i wouldn’t do for draco to do that for me.”

“oh stop it,” you rolled your eyes. “ there’s no way, he wanted to do that,”

pansy now really looked at you like you were stupid.

“trust me,” she grabbed your shoulders. “theodore nott like you. i don’t know why, cause you definitely don’t have the brains.

you smacked her arm.

“but he does,” pansy reassured you.

“okay,” you nodded your head. “i still don’t believe you.”

pansy let go of your shoulders. trying to keep her annoyance in check she walked through the room.

“I’ll show you,” she ultimately said. “by the end of the week, he’ll ask you out.”

“and if he doesn’t?” you smiled at her, almost certain that you were going to win.

“than,” she paused thinking, “i’ll buy whatever you want from hogsmeade, for a year.”

your eyes widened.

she must be very certain of her case.

♡ taglist @myunperfektstorys |

[just let me know if you want be taken of the tag list]

♡ banner credit @/strangergraphics

#theodore nott blurp #theodore nott #theodore nott x reader #theodore nott x you #theodore nott x y/n #harry potter imagines #theodore nott imagine #pansy parkinson #slytherin #slytherin boys #⊹ ࣪ ˖ mxr works

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prodbymaui · 2 years ago

Text

These Secrets That I Have — 이민형.

what if I told you that I've fallen?

PAIRING: mark lee x fem!reader

GENRE: our friendly neighborhood spiderman ; the best friends

WORD COUNT: 4.3k+ words

WARNINGS: eventual smut, choking kink, arson

SYNOPSIS: Joking that your best friend is the infamous superhero bitten by a spider has been a habit for the group. It was all a joke, until it wasn't.

A/N: THE UPSIDE DOWN KISS!! spidermark agenda, I wouldn't let you die. and forgive for the poor attempts of comedy lmao. anyways, happy reading and don't forget to share your thoughts about this fic! <3

''With great power comes..''

''Great responsibilities--''

Gasping dramatically, Johnny stands up as his finger points accusingly to the male who's unknowingly straining his vocal chords due to laughing so much.

Mark shakes his head, clapping his hands in amusement. ''Dude, everybody knows that.''

''Nobody gets it right.''

Jaehyun joins the tallest among all of you. ''Except spiderman.''

Cackles once again blooms, the way these two delivers their impromptu exposing session is so comical that you are all gasping for air.

If you didn't know better, those faces full of shock mixed with betrayal would fool you into thinking your best friend is actually the one behind the infamous red and dark blue suit with webs and spider symbols decorating it. No ones knows when it actually began, the spiderman jokes. Johnny and Jaehyun are certainly the ones to start the teasing on Mark, doting on him and urging him to 'admit it' in every chance they get. Oftentimes, the jokes are fueled by Mark's fast reflexes. Someone can react fast, alright, but something about Mark's tells that there's a deeper root or cause, Johnny's words.

Personally, you don't really think Mark would be the 'friendly neighborhood' superhero neither do you consider even the smallest chance because-- one, the male is literally with you almost 24/7 and spiderman saves people 25/8. And two, you've stayed at Mark's apartment more than you've done to your dorm, you know the in and outs, every nook and cranny of the space-- not once did you found even a mere clue that suggests what Johnny and Jaehyun had in their mind.

''You really gotta back us up here, dude. You know what you've seen.'' Once again, the faux seriousness shows in his words and his eyes widening to convince, you decides to ride his flow this time.

''Actions speaks louder than voice, Mark. If you're not spiderman, then explain the spidey senses!'' Johnny throws a cap towards Mark's direction, effectively making the man catch it within seconds, eventually proving your 'theory'.

'I told you so' looks are exchanged between the three of you. Haechan barks a laugh at that.

''This is fucking crazy.'' Clearly, he's enjoying the show judging by the tears escaping the sockets of his eyes.

The series of persistence is left to deaf ears. Mark prefers downing as much pizza as he can right now rather than dealing with endless accusations that, to say the least, is absolutely nonsensical. ''Y'all would cut this shit out or you'll have webs shoved down deep in your throat in a minute?''

By now, Mark should've known making empty threats that has connections with spiderman's universe or spiderman himself will just worsen the situation he already finds hard to be in. Albeit his ears ringing, Mark didn't make any effort to stop the banters of his friends regarding if he's the superhero bitten by a spider or he's just a natural. Concluding that the discussion is harmless, he doesn't find the need to.

Ha! It's not like he's actually the 'Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman', right?

Another groan escapes past your lips, fingers drumming the white table. 15 minutes upon arriving at 7/11, your instant ramen slash source of distraction from boredom sadly disappears in thin air. What the fuck is taking Mark Lee so long?

''--so you mean, 10 muscled people holding rifles each was nothing against 1 spider descendant or some shit?'' Your ears perks up.

''Yup, flicked those robbers away to the police like it was nothing.''

''Damn crazy, and fucking awesome.''

''That's spiderman for you,'' The boy browses through the ice cream freezer near you. ''Still can't believe he's in this area just minutes ago.''

Eh? The superhero was here? Then that would mean the said robbery took place somewhere not far from where you were eating your ramen peacefully. How come you didn't hear the sirens? You sigh, mind wondering the possible outcomes if the robbers decides to raid the stores nearby and eventually reach yours. It fuels your urge to go home even more.

Supposedly, this trip shouldn't last no more than 10 minutes considering the fact that the store is not even 3 minutes away from your dorm and choosing chips to your liking only takes less than 5 minutes of your time-- depending on how indecisive you are and how crazy your cravings are. It'll all bring you back to the comfort of your bedroom in no time, nonetheless.

But a certain someone thought it's a good idea to leave you at the store and tells you that he'll be back in a bit, making you wait like some child for their parent. Heck, no parent would even leave their child alone at a convenience store, opting to take the kid with them. He insisted on meeting here again in spite of your whines to go separate ways so you can enjoy the warmth of your bed all the while he fulfills the errand that he so eagerly wants to finish.

''This motherfucker, I swear to God.'' Informing Mark that you'll go back via message, the chair lets out a faint screech as your body heat lingers a little longer after standing up to leave. Just as you turn around, your shoulders meets a chest, sending you both to a halt as the collision sinks in. You look up to see your most awaited best friend with his unstyled chest nut hair serving as a curtain for his same shade orbs. He breathes heavily, as if catching some air to fend his lungs.

Eyes raking down his body, you drink in his appearance. He looks like he just came from.. a fight. ''The hell happened to you, dude?'' Your figure heads towards the store's exit.

''Police thought I was one of those that belonged to the robbery, took me a while to convince them I'm not, sorry.''

You snort. ''Well, I would mistake you as a robber too with this beanie and all black outfit you have.''

Mark scowls. ''They thought I'm a victim, just for your information.''

''Really? That's surprising.'' Laughing softly under your breath, you tosses a bag of chips to Mark as compensation for your teasing.

The gust of cold breeze remains disregarded, warmth coming from the other's body heat is enough to ease the coldness. Passing by where the crime occurred, your feet unknowingly fasten their pace, shuddering at the thought of danger albeit the police cars and armed officers surrounds the area in protection stance.

Overhearing a reporter going on about something along the lines of 'the cops thanking Spiderman as it weren't for him, they wouldn't be able to catch the criminals' makes you sigh.

They should really stop depending on the superhero. You thought.

''Isn't it scary?''

Mark turns to you. ''What is?''

''The way greed can drive humans to intense, irrevocable madness. It pushes them to do these things that'll not only put their lives in danger but will also fail to satisfy their desires. Sure, they can have money in the palms of their hands with just a snap, stealing from people-- but will those bills last for a long time? Will that be enough for them? Certainly not.''

A brief glance from Mark is what you received, the bop of his head caught by your peripheral vision assures you to keep going. ''The more they steal, the more they crave. If the officials thinks that every on-going and unsolved crimes plastered on the news by the media will scare the criminals away because they are apparently doing their best to find the suspects and pull them out of wherever hole they are hiding, they're wrong. The cops wouldn't be forced to use their best assets and experience sleepless nights if the criminals are not doing well at their job, right? Those announcements of endless searchings and calls for the people's help only pats the wanted people on their back, telling them they've done an excellent mayhem job.

Sometimes, I don't even know who to blame when crimes, like this kind, happens. Is it the criminals themselves because they lost their morals over materialistic things? Because they gave in to the urge of possessing those that goes beyond what they can comprehend? Is it the police for not hearing the reason why these criminals have done it? Is it the society who embodies judgemental and discriminating in all sorts of way that probably pushed them to do such things? Or is it the government who failed to make education and employment accessible to everyone no matter what their status in life is?''

Kicking a pebble out of your way, it creates a dull thudding sounds. ''Proper education and enabling people to have a grasp of legal source of income would probably prevent crimes from happening. I'd like to think that most are just desperate measures.''

Mark hums. ''What you said are somewhat right. They makes sense.''

''But.. ?'' You know there's more that he itches to say.

''But, as much as everyone deserves to be heard and understood, some are just born evil. Born without remorse for others. It'll surprise you how we encounter many people such them in our daily lives. So avoid thinking that criminals did what they've done because they had a traumatic and devastating life. You're unknowingly justifying the ends by their means, something you cannot do especially if the lives of innocents are on the line.''

It's unclear why Mark sounds firm and sure regarding of meeting the people he just talked about but since their existence is not exactly a secret from the whole world, you suppose he's correct.

Too caught up in your conversation, your feet reached the entrance of your dorm's building in no time. Turning around, you offer a cheeky smile at him. ''Thank heavens then that I don't need to worry about my safety.''

Mark returns your smile with a hearty scoff. He knows where this is going. ''Uh-huh, and why is that?''

''Because I have Spiderman as my best friend! You'll protect me, won't you spidey?'' Giggling, Mark nudges your arm as you walk side by side, resorting to shaking his head instead of joining your spiderman agenda.

Spiderman or not, Mark vows to himself to keep you away from the darkness of this world with all his might. He already lost his uncle, he couldn't afford to lose someone so dear to his heart once again.

The alarm blares loudly and pierces your ear drums, almost busting them yet you didn't make any effort of getting up. The ringing sounds extra loud today, though. Ah.. you don't really want to wake up. Your body shifts to a new position, hands searching where your phone lays.

Definitely, no one wants to wake up before the roosters crows in a weekend where you should be using all your time to rest in preparation of yet another tiring week.

Skin making a contact with the source of the sound, you didn't feel any vibration with it. Just as when you decided to go back to sleep and withstand the annoying ringing of the alarm, rapid knocks on your door overpowered the previous sound, effectively pulling you out of the borderline between dreamland and reality.

You sit up. ''Fuck--'' It is only then that you realized, the alarm isn't coming from your usual alarm clock. Instead, it is the fire alarm ringing and announcing the state of your building.

With panic taking over your emotions, your body moves fast. Getting all the things that you know is important before soaking a blanket in water, covering yourself with it, and finally running out to leaving your room. Tears pricks your eyes as you meet the fiery blaze engulfing the whole building, enclosing in with every blink and every breath you take. You step a few backwards, lips quivering as you try to ignore the scorching heat seeping through the wet blanket, threatening to burn your skin any minute. Your eyes wavers.

There's so many ways you could die but dying helplessly amidst of an arson is not what you fancy. A scream of horror couldn't even be used to express your fear, you remain quiet and whimpering despite the shivering of your body, arms hugging yourself.

Your doors shut close once again, your back leaning against it as you falls to the ground, drops of tears continuously running down your cheeks. The fire started from a floor below yours, or at least that's what it seemed like. Meaning you absolutely have no chance of escaping the flames unless you jump out of your window. Surely, you're somehow survive a fall from the 5th floor, right?

A rattle created somewhere in your house snaps you out of your nonlogical thoughts. Looking up, you don't know whether to believe your eyes or rub the surface of your orbs, taking a second look in case what you're seeing is just a figment of your imagination. Maybe you're slowly losing some screws in the head.

But the movement of the figure, jogging towards you, tells you otherwise. ''What the fuck.. ?''

It's real.

It's him.

It's Spiderman in the fucking flesh.

Once again, you are stolen from your trance by his arms gently pulling you up, steadying you. Without much of a warning, the superhero scoops you in his arms and flies out of the window. And holy fuck, does it scared the shit out of you that the fibers of your body started to scream nothing but hold on tight to the man who's swinging down the building with you.

The uncalled adventure ended before you could even processed that your building is currently burning down, you got stucked between the fire and now Spiderman just saved you. No one should be able to blame you if you take days to properly digest what just happened.

He stands before you for a few more seconds, as if raking down his eyes. You tilt your head when he nods and runs to save the others. ''The fuck.. ?'' For the nth of the day, you let out a curse.

Your brain is totally playing with you. There's no fucking way Spiderman helped you, made sure that you got no wounds slash you're safe and sound before nodding as if to assure himself. Johnny is gonna combust if he's to hear your story.

The comfort of the thick blanket engulfs your figure as you hold your cellphone and wallet in your hand. Sighing, you turn to Jaehyun who came to your aid at this goddamn hour. ''You don't really have to stay with me, Jay. Pretty sure this'll end in an hour or so, you can go back now.''

Stubbornly, the male shakes his head. ''Did you know how worried we are when we heard from Mark that your dorm was on fire? Johnny and Haechan almost even flew out of Busan just to make sure you're alright.''

''Dude, I'm really fine, I promise. I can manage this, just rest.''

His hand pushes your head lightly to lay on his shoulder. ''No, you rest.''

Giving up, you let yourself relax, leaning your weigh towards Jaehyun as you pull the blanket tighter around you. The dreamland train is ready to send you to your slumber when your eyes opens abruptly, realizing what Jaehyun just said.

''Jay?''

He hums.

''From whom did you heard about the fire again?''

''Uh.. Mark?''

''And where is he right now?''

''... Dunno, maybe he's somewhere that's why he couldn't come.''

Your silence tells Jaehyun you're not convinced by his reason.

He silently prays Mark doesn't kick his ass.

2 hours passed and you decided to make Jaehyun drop you off on Mark's place, opting to stay there until everything's alright back at your apartment. It is proven that the male's walls have nothing against your persistent whines as you now lay on Mark's bed, scrolling through your phone.

Ever since stepping a foot here few minutes ago, you didn't catch nor sense Mark's presence. In usual days, it's Mark who zooms from wherever he is to your place once the news of something happening to you reaches him. But today, it was Jaehyun instead.

Your thoughts ponders to where it has been circling earlier. A voice inside you says something you surprisingly don't find hard to believe. Maybe it was your best friend who found you first after all, just not in his signature beanie and all black outfit.

''That's dumb. I should stop joining Johnny and Jaehyun with their shenanigans.''

You must've gone crazy now that you're talking to yourself.

''What's so crazy about that? Doesn't everyone talks to themselves at least once? It's not like it's so bad. According to scientists, taking to yourself brings you comfort and such.''

Of course, that's bullshit. You hate reading anything that involves science.

''Mark is not the superhero who got bitten by a magical spider that turned him into a man who saves the people from fire and crimes. Mark is just your stupid of a best friend that thinks putting strawberries in a microwave is a good idea because he likes his fruits warm. Mark is your best friend who's scared of cockroaches so how come he's a hero whose powers came from a spider? Mark is not Spiderman--''

Wrong. Absolutely Wrong.

Your claims got debunked right after you lay them down. You're absolutely fucking wrong.

The superhero whom you got to meet earlier, now stands in front of you once again. Hissing at what seemed to be a burn, unaware of the other presence inside the room, the mask comes off of his head, revealing the face the media and government would pay billions of money to see.

All this time, the jokes that Johnny and Jaehyun threw weren't all bullshit. Because the moment Spiderman turns out, the familiar chestnut shade eyes meets yours, effectively stilling both of your figures.

Holy motherfucking shit.

Spiderman IS Mark Lee.

''...''

''... let's treat your burn first.''

The hero nods like a puppy.

''Ouch! At least dab it gently. I may have powers but immunity to stings isn't one of them, you know?'' That only pushes you to dab the cotton pad harder on his burnt skin, earning a yelp.

''You deserve that after hiding this secret from us for how many years.''

''Who said I hid it from all of you? Johnny and Jaehyun have known about this months ago.'' Your glare scares the superhero embarrassingly. To be fair, it's not like Mark intended to let the duo know. It was accidental.

''And you didn't even dare to tell me, your literal best friend?'' You know exactly why he didn't want to risk revealing his secret even with those he trusts the most, you just don't know how to properly mask the worry inside you.

Mark, instead, smirks. ''Just say you're worried, it's not that bad to admit it, you know?'' He's right.

Your finger fumbles the cotton, eyes staring deeply to Mark's as you weigh the outcomes if you say the very sentence that lays at the tip of your tongue. The hem of your shirt moves, courtesy of Mark of playing with them.

Fuck it.

No one knows who leans in to who, all you know is that you desire to take more than the heat coming from Mark's tongue on yours. His arm wraps around your waist, flipping your position so you would be the one to lay on the bed, hovering your figure as his kisses travels down to your neck. Whimpers escapes your lips, hand threading the brown strands while the other feels the firm chest through his suit.

Your clothes soon flies to god knows where, the chilly wind bites through your bare skin but the flames of Mark's tongue licking every surface he can eases it. The lips comes back to meet yours one more time, devouring every area that he can reach. It's nothing like you expected to experience from Mark.

It's fierce, hot, and needy.

Wet sounds of kissing echoes through the silence of the room, rustling clothes accompanying it as Mark takes off his suit.

Fingers ghosting over the line that serves as an entrance to your core, your breath hitches. They entered Mark's mouth first, sucking and licking before pulling them out full of saliva just for the show. Finally dipping inside you, a sigh couldn't help but to be let out. It's deep, something you're unable to do whenever you're left to fend for yourself.

Mark gets on it, inserting one after another with little rest in between until he feels you're stretched enough for him. You pant, the angry red tip touching and tracing the line of your pussy, enough to send you desperate. So desperate that you whine and grinds your hips upwards to meet his length.

Caging you in his embrace, Mark's lips stays on yours as his cock slowly but smoothly slides past your opening, the veins rubbing along your walls enough to receive a quiet moan from you. There's a slight sting caused by the stretched of Mark's girthy dick but that's what you wanted, for it to hurt even a bit. In order for you could feel Mark fully.

''Good?''

''So good.''

Mark chuckles, observing your facial expression as he makes circles with his hips, hand caressing your sides in a comforting way. When he senses that you've gotten used to his cock sliding in and out of your entrance, he with no doubts quickens his pace. He starts fucking.

Screams of his name along with vulgar profanity fills the apartment, loud skin slapping fuelling the hunger for release. ''More, more, more-- fuck, Mark, please.''

The male grunts. God, just your calls of his name is enough to make him come. It takes him a lot of self-control to prevent his climax from raining on him quickly. With the determination of bringing you over the edge, his hips snaps harder, harsher and faster.

The way his tip gets caught on your walls before fully pulling out is hypnotizing. Hands gripping the pillow beside your head, Mark changes his angle a bit and that's when you scream his name loud enough for the neighbors to complain tomorrow. Mercilessly, Mark's bulbous tip jabs on your spot dead on continuously, giving you no time to catch some air.

His mouth attaches to your skin as he paints it with love bruises, a remembrance of your activity. ''Aah, shit-- are you close, baby? Are you gonna come around my cock? Tighten your-- fuck-- walls around me until I can't fucking-- aah-- breathe?''

You nod, chanting his name like a mantra as you plead him to bring you the mind numbing pleasure. Scratching his back, nails digging and creating crescent moon shapes on his skin-- Mark finds himself only getting closer to coming. His fingers wraps themselves around your wrist, placing your palm on the expanse of his neck. Mark groans when he feels the pleasuring grip on the sides of his throat, eyes rolling to the back as the perfect press sends him to his peak.

With your walls pulsating around him, white cream creating a customized ring for his cock, Mark thrusts once, twice, trice and a few more before he pulls out. Ribbons of white makes itself known on your stomach through the warmth it radiates. His head is thrown to the back as his mouth falls apart, moaning your name.

Minutes passes by and it was only then that Mark came to his senses, laying carefully beside you. Despite just having his cock inside you not long ago, Mark visibly stills when you wrap your arms around his waist. You chuckle.

''Any secrets you have that you want to tell me?'' Whispering against his shoulder, Mark gains the courage of placing his arm to hug you side ways. He smiles, staring at the ceiling.

''If I didn't know any better, I'd say that smiles means you like me.''

''Well, do you?''

''Do I what?''

''Know better.''

Giggles of happiness echoes the bedroom.

It is night and your heels clicking the floor is heard along the quiet alley. You purses your lips, hands buried in the pockets of your jacket to hide from the freezing cold of the night. Eyes remaining to the ground, you steps comes to a halt when you sense another presence just behind you.

The shadow shows an upside down figure of someone, a strange yet familiar way. You turn around with no fear, smile of adore dawning your face as the sight of your boyfriend waiting greets you.

''Hi,'' Softly, you caress his upside down face. ''The people are waiting for you to save them, spidey.''

''Can I get my good luck? So I'd know someone is waiting for me to get back home?'' Chuckle rumbles on your chest as you pinch his cheek.

Your fingers tugs the hem of his mask, enough to reveal the naturally red yet slightly chapped lips that you love. Pressing a loving kiss, you hoped that Mark was able to decipher all the feelings you've put.

''Can I tell you a secret?''

You didn't wait a respond from him.

''I love you.''

You peck his lips.

''So damn much.''

You fix his mask and ensure that it wouldn't slip off of him.

''Be careful while saving the world, will you? I wouldn't know what to do if I lose mine.''

With one last kiss through the fabric of his mask, Mark vows that after helping the people, he will come back safely-- to his very own home, his own world.

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flowerchild28 · 3 months ago

Note

Could you do when Louis x reader has twin girls (around 10) and them and Freddie go to his show

sure hope you like it. I made Freddie a bit older hope you don't mind.

A family show

(-or is it)

Louis Tomlinson imagine

Warnings: none, fluff

2.3k

The morning sunlight filtered through the windows of your cozy Los Angeles home, casting a warm glow on the bustling chaos that was your living room. Louis had a big show tonight, and the excitement in the air was palpable—but so was the overwhelming task of getting three kids ready while Louis was already at soundcheck.

“Maisie, where are your shoes?” you called, scanning the room. Ellie, one of your 9-year-old twins, was lounging on the couch with her tablet, her hair still undone.

“I don’t know!” Maisie shouted from somewhere upstairs. “I think they’re in Dad’s closet!”

You sighed, glancing at the clock. There were only a few hours left before you needed to leave for the venue. Meanwhile, Freddie, Louis’ son from his previous relationship, sat at the dining table with a cereal box in hand, casually munching away.

“Freddie, can you help Maisie find her shoes?” you asked, trying to keep the tone calm despite the bubbling urgency.

“Sure, but can I bring my skateboard to the show?” he asked, his big brown eyes hopeful.

“We’ll see, love,” you replied, knowing Louis would probably say yes anyway. Freddie nodded and trotted upstairs, calling Maisie’s name as he went.

Turning back to Ellie, you crouched in front of her. “Ellie, sweetheart, we need to do your hair, okay? Dad’s going to be so excited to see you all ready for the show.”

She sighed dramatically, putting down her tablet. “Fine, but can I wear the sparkly headband?”

“Absolutely,” you said with a smile, grabbing the brush and starting to detangle her wavy brown hair.

Upstairs, you could hear Maisie and Freddie laughing—likely making a mess in the process. The sound warmed your heart. Louis always joked that you were the glue holding the family together, and days like this reminded you why.

Once Ellie’s hair was styled in a cute braid with her sparkly headband, you called Maisie and Freddie back down. Maisie had miraculously found her shoes, though she wore them on the wrong feet, and Freddie had managed to grab his skateboard anyway.

“Maisie, switch your shoes, love,” you said, kneeling down to fix them. “Freddie, let’s compromise—bring the skateboard for the car ride, but we leave it in the trunk, okay?”

“Deal,” he said, flashing you a cheeky grin.

By the time Louis called to check in, the three kids were mostly ready, dressed in their little band merch shirts and sneakers. You answered the call with a breathless laugh, sitting on the couch for the first time all morning.

“How’s it going, love?” Louis asked, his voice warm and familiar even over the phone.

“Well, we’re alive,” you teased, glancing at the kids. “Ellie’s hair is perfect, Maisie’s shoes are finally on the right feet, and Freddie has negotiated skateboard terms. We’ll meet you at the venue soon.”

“Sounds like you’ve done a brilliant job as always,” he said, a smile evident in his tone. “Can’t wait to see you all. Thanks for everything, darling.”

“See you soon,” you replied, feeling a little flutter in your chest despite having heard those words a million times before.

The van pulled up to the venue, and the air outside was buzzing with excitement. Fans were gathered near the entrance, holding signs, phones, and bouquets of flowers. The second the door slid open, a few fans gasped and started waving wildly.

“Ellie, hold Maisie’s hand,” you said, stepping out first and turning to help Freddie climb down.

“Are we famous now?” Maisie whispered, looking wide-eyed at the smiling fans.

“Not quite, love,” you chuckled, adjusting her little shirt. Ellie, ever the calm one, shrugged as she held her sister’s hand.

“Freddie, can you carry this for me?” you handed him a small backpack with essentials for the evening. He rolled his eyes but grabbed it. “Thanks, buddy.”

As you ushered the kids toward the entrance, a few fans called out, “We love you, Y/N!” and “Hi, Freddie!”

Maisie giggled and waved enthusiastically, while Ellie stuck close to your side, flashing a shy smile. Freddie, ever confident, gave a little salute, earning even more cheers.

You could see the security team already moving to escort you inside, but as you passed the fans, you paused for a moment. “Say hi, kids!” you encouraged them.

“Hi!” Maisie and Ellie chorused. Freddie nodded coolly.

“See you at the show!” you added with a smile before heading into the venue.

The backstage area was buzzing with last-minute preparations, but Louis was already waiting by the dressing room, dressed casually in his signature look—black jeans, a band tee, and those iconic white trainers. The moment he saw you and the kids, his face lit up, and he jogged over.

“There’s my crew!” he called, opening his arms wide.

“Daddy!” Maisie shouted, running to him. Ellie followed, more composed but just as excited. Louis crouched down to hug them both tightly, his face soft with love.

Freddie gave him a high-five instead. “Looking good, Dad,” he said with a grin.

Louis laughed. “Cheers, mate. You look sharp yourself.”

Finally, Louis turned to you, his expression shifting to something softer, something just for you. “Hey, love,” he murmured, pulling you into a warm hug. He kissed your forehead, and then, with a quick glance at the kids, leaned down to kiss your lips.

“Ewwww!” Maisie groaned, covering her eyes dramatically.

“Do you always have to kiss Mommy?” Ellie asked, folding her arms but smiling despite herself.

“Yeah, or hug her?” Freddie added, though he looked more amused than annoyed.

Louis grinned, keeping an arm around your waist. “Of course I do. How else would she know I love her, hmm?”

“Dad’s obsessed,” Maisie teased, giggling as she tugged on his arm.

“And proud of it,” Louis replied, ruffling her hair.

You laughed, feeling the warmth of the moment settle around you like a blanket. “Alright, let’s get settled before the show starts,” you said, steering the kids toward the dressing room.

Louis caught your hand one more time, squeezing it gently. “Thanks for bringing them,” he whispered. “And for everything else.”

You smiled back, leaning into him for a second before the kids pulled him away, each wanting his attention.

The dressing room was buzzing with energy, crew members popping in and out to check on Louis. The kids were sprawled across the couch, chattering away while Louis sat on the armrest, tying his shoelaces. You leaned against the wall, watching the scene with a fond smile.

“Alright, it’s nearly time,” Louis said, standing and clapping his hands together. “Come here, you lot.”

Maisie and Ellie jumped up immediately, running over to hug him. Freddie followed, hands in his pockets, but gave his dad a quick, warm hug as well.

“Are you nervous, Daddy?” Ellie asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.

“Not when I know you’re all watching,” Louis said, crouching to their level. “You lot are my good luck charms, yeah?”

Maisie giggled. “Do we have to wave so you can see us?”

“You’ll be in the VIP box, so just cheer loud enough, and I’ll know you’re there,” he said, poking her nose gently.

He turned to Freddie. “You’re looking after these two, alright?”

“Obviously,” Freddie replied with a grin. “I’ve got this.”

Louis pulled them all into another hug, whispering something that made them laugh before standing and walking over to you. “And you,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from your face.

“You’re going to smash it,” you said, placing your hands on his chest. “As always.”

He smiled and leaned in, giving you a slow, warm kiss. A chorus of groans erupted behind you.

“Ugh, again with the kissing!” Maisie exclaimed, throwing her hands up.

“Seriously, can’t you wait until later?” Freddie teased, pretending to shield his eyes.

Ellie just sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. “They’re hopeless.”

Louis chuckled as he pulled away, keeping his hands on your waist. “Hopelessly in love,” he corrected, giving you a cheeky wink.

“Alright, alright, off you go!” he said, ushering you and the kids toward the door.

“Good luck, Daddy!” the twins called in unison. Freddie gave a thumbs-up before grabbing Maisie’s hand to lead her out.

“See you out there, love,” you said, blowing him a kiss.

The VIP box offered a perfect view of the stage. The kids were practically bouncing in their seats as the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted into cheers. You couldn’t help but smile at their excitement.

“There he is!” Maisie squealed as Louis appeared on stage, his energy electrifying as he greeted the crowd.

Ellie grabbed your arm. “Mommy, look! He waved at us!”

Freddie smirked, leaning back in his seat. “That’s for everyone, Ellie.”

“I think it’s for us,” you said, grinning as Louis seemed to glance in your direction before launching into his first song.

Throughout the show, Maisie and Ellie danced and sang along, their voices almost as loud as the crowd. Freddie played it cool, but every now and then, you caught him tapping his foot to the beat.

As Louis performed, he occasionally glanced toward the VIP box, his face lighting up when he saw the kids cheering. During a slower song, he even dedicated it to “the loves of my life up there,” sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Maisie leaned over, whispering loudly, “That’s us!”

You wrapped an arm around her and Ellie, feeling the love and pride swell in your chest. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a family moment—a memory you’d all treasure forever.

When the final notes rang out and the crowd roared, Louis looked up one last time, blowing a kiss toward the VIP box. You waved back, your heart full.

“Best. Night. Ever,” Maisie declared as the lights came back on.

And as you gathered the kids to head backstage.

The dressing room was finally quiet as you and Louis carefully gathered your things. Maisie was still fast asleep in Louis’ arms, her little head tucked against his chest, while Ellie had barely stirred from her slumber on the couch. Freddie was yawning now, the skateboard tucked under his arm, but he was still keeping pace with you both.

Louis adjusted Maisie gently, grabbing a blanket from the couch to drape over her before glancing at you. “I’ll go out first, love. Let the fans know to keep it down so we don’t wake the girls.”

You nodded, brushing a kiss to Ellie’s forehead as you prepared to carry her out. Freddie followed Louis toward the door, rubbing his eyes.

When Louis stepped out into the cool night air, the fans outside erupted in cheers, their excitement still electric after the show. Holding up a hand, he signaled for them to quiet down, a fond but serious look on his face.

“Alright, alright,” he said with a smile, his voice low but steady. “Listen up, my twins are sleeping, so we’re going to keep it nice and quiet, yeah? I promise I’ll come back out after I’ve got them settled.”

The fans immediately hushed, nodding and whispering among themselves, clearly respecting his request. Some even held up hearts with their hands, and a few softly said, “We love you, Louis!”

“Thanks, love ya too,” he replied with a wink before heading back toward the car.

You emerged a moment later, Ellie in your arms, her head resting on your shoulder. Freddie held the car door open as Louis carefully placed Maisie into her booster seat, tucking the blanket securely around her. You followed, settling Ellie into her spot and making sure she was comfortable.

Freddie climbed into his seat, his skateboard placed at his feet. “Can I stay awake?” he asked, though his eyes were already heavy.

“Of course, mate,” Louis said with a smirk, giving his shoulder a light squeeze. “But don’t be surprised if you don’t make it home.”

Freddie grinned but didn’t argue, leaning back as you and Louis shut the doors.

True to his word, Louis took your hand as the two of you walked back to where the fans were waiting, their soft murmurs turning to quiet excitement as they saw you approach.

“Thanks for keeping it down,” Louis said, flashing them his signature grin. “I just wanted to say goodnight properly, yeah?”

The fans beamed, some holding out gifts and letters, which you graciously accepted on his behalf. “Thank you all for coming,” you added, giving them a warm smile. “It means so much to him—and us.”

A few fans asked for quick photos, and Louis obliged, keeping it brief but genuine. When one of them handed you a bouquet of flowers, you thanked them sincerely, holding them close.

“Alright, loves,” Louis said after a few minutes. “We’ve got to head off, but I’ll see you next time, yeah? Be good, get home safe.”

“Bye, Louis! Bye, Y/N!” the fans chorused, waving as you both made your way back to the car.

Back in the car, the twins were still sound asleep, their faces peaceful under the soft glow of the streetlights. Freddie had lost the battle with sleep, his head tilted against the window as his skateboard rested against his leg.

Louis glanced back at them with a smile before reaching for your hand. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“You make it easy,” you said softly.

#louis tomlinson #louis tomlinson imagine #louis tomlinson fluff #louis tomlinson imagines #one direction #louis tomlinson x reader #louis tomlinson x you #self ship imagine #imagine #louis tommo

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daydreaming-nerd · 11 months ago

Text

Young Love and Old Money (Cassian x Female! Reader) Part 9

Young Love and Old Money Masterlist

AN: Okay remember when I said there would be a lot more angst? Well here we are. We have arrived at angst station, everybody off the train. This part is so dramatic I really laid it on thick here. Regardless I hope you enjoy and I will try to get part 10 up ASAP!!!

Summary: She was the most beautiful woman in Prythian, sister to the High Lord of Night, and now she is the soon-to-be wife of Eris Vanserra. Despite her many titles and her aura of unattainability, Cassian can't help but fall deeply in love with the princess of the Night Court. But will it be enough to stop her impending wedding to a man who is sure to destroy her from the inside out?

Warnings: Sexism, super heavy angst, this got really dark, violence, blood, implied rape (but not described), did I mention violence?, (I'm sorry you guys.)

Word Count: 6,333

The next morning I wake up in my own bed and I don’t move for hours.

Thankfully, after about an hour of crying by the Sidra, Azriel found me and took me back to the House of Wind. Apparently Cassian had sent him, which gave me a little bit of hope. That is until I went to his door and found his room empty. According to Azriel he left for Windhaven after returning home to pack a bag. I didn’t need to interrogate further to know that Cassian wouldn’t be back before the wedding.

I spent the entire day before the wedding in bed, staring at the sliver of light on the floor that the curtains let into the darkened room. Everytime I close my eyes I could hear Cassian and I’s laughter, which made me unable to fall asleep. When I wasn’t reminiscing over memories of Cassian I was listening intently to the sounds of the house, hoping I would hear his heavy boots thudding back to his room. I just wanted to see him one last time.

However, those footsteps never came, and I found myself staring at the wall until my body gave up on me, from either exhaustion or hunger and I fell asleep.

Cassian’s pov:

The second I landed in Windhaven I cracked open a bottle of whiskey and downed a glass praying it would allow me to sleep. Of course I was wrong.

The entire night I saw images of y/n holding that little girl in her arms. God I had practically melted right then and there, thinking about what she would look like holding our own children. How adorable they would be with their tiny wings.

My sleepless night had carried over with me the next day, everything and everyone putting me on edge. A young Illyrian had dropped their sword while sparring and I blew up at him. Devlon tried to argue that the females shouldn’t be training and I nearly slammed his head into a wall.

I was aggressively sharpening my swords on the edge of the sparring ring when Azriel found me, my brother simply nodded his head towards the center as if to say “blow off some steam big fella.” I couldn’t turn him down, as he was the only one who could give me a run for my money, and today he sure did.

“You fight like shit and you look like shit too brother,” Azriel barked after beating me again. He tossed his sword to the ground seemingly calling it quits for the day.

“Yeah well my mate is about to marry another male in the next 12 hours so how did you expect to find me?” I gripe at him taking my seat on a weathered rock.

“I suppose I wouldn’t know what to do in your situation either,” he admitted, taking a seat next to me.

“Seems about right for me. Grew up a bastard and lived in the mud till you and Rhys’ sorry asses came along. Lost my mother and never even got to bury her, fought for 500 years, and then became mated to the princess, who is marrying another male.” I scoff, shaking my head at the ridiculousness. “I’ll give the mother one thing, at least she’s consistent.”

Azriel was quiet for a moment, as if taking in what I had said before clapping a hand on my back, “The pain, it will go away Cass. It will take time, but I will be there with you every step of the way.” he assured me, and for a moment I felt a little lighter.

“Get wasted with me tomorrow?” I ask more seriously than I should.

“You know I will,” he said, offering me a slight smile.

I hoped that Rhys had gotten some more whiskey since the last time I raided his cabinet, because I don’t think any amount of drink could make me forget the way she looked at me the first morning we woke up together. The way she would laugh when I kissed her cheeks, the feeling of her delicate hands running soap over my wings. How she would say “you need a bath!” when I would give her a sweaty hug after training. The face she made when I distracted her from one of her romance novels by tickling her feet that rested in my lap.

By the cauldron, I was a dead man.

y/n's pov:

Stepping into the Autumn Court felt like I was walking to my own execution. Instead of Eris being at the end of that aisle there would be a guillotine. I almost wished for that instead. Any comment made by Rhys about how I seemed tired I chalked up to pre-wedding nerves and thankfully he didn’t push after that.

The entire morning had been spent poking and prodding at my skin, my hair and my eyes.�� If I thought that Nuala and Cerridwen were meticulous I was sorely mistaken. The ladies of the Autumn Court didn’t mess around and if this was my life going forward (which sadly it was), cauldron boil me.

The ladies in wait primped me up until a half an hour before I walked down the aisle. I had to literally commande them out of my suite in order to have a moment alone. I sat staring at myself in the floor length mirror. For what it was worth, I looked beautiful. I half expected the dress that was chosen for me to be awful and gaudy, however it was elegant. The lace along the neckline mimicking the flames associated with Eris’ power. Had I been walking down the aisle to a different groom, I might venture to say that I was excited to be married. However as I stared at myself in my white wedding dress I couldn’t help but feel a tear slide down my face.

A tentative knock reverberated through the room, nearly making me jump out of my skin. I took a deep breath and wiped away a stray tear.

“Come in,” I said with shaky words looking at the double oak doors through the mirror before me.

The door opened slowly, whoever it was looking around the room before entering. A large figure finally popped it’s head in, eyes finding me immediately. I would know that jet black hair anywhere.

Cassian.

I whirled around to meet his gaze as he shut the door, taking slow and tentative steps towards me. His eyes searched my face for any hint of anger or resentment.

“Cass,” I breathed, as if to assure myself he was really there.

“You look beautiful,” he smiled looking me up and down, but I could see the veiled sadness on his face. He was putting on a front, and a bad one at that.

“Thank you,” I say, taking a tentative step towards him. “How did you get in here?”

“They don’t have you that well guarded,” he chuckled, stepping closer till he stood before me. Neither of us reached for one another, unsure of where we both stood. It felt wrong not to instantly wrap my arms around him. “I don’t like where we left things,” he continued.

“Neither do I,”

“I wanted to say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I yelled at you that night. I’m sorry about the things I said,” he starts again. His hands reach for mine but pull back as if afraid to touch me. “I wanted to say that I understand now. And that I think you are incredibly brave to be doing this for Velaris. I’ll never be happy that you’re marrying Eris, and I’ll always wish it was me. But I understand now, and I respect the love you have for your people, and the lengths you’re willing to go to to keep them safe. Will you forgive me?”

I feel the stray tear pricking my eye once more, “There was never anything to forgive Cass. I was more upset with myself for giving you false hope. For going along and loving you and acting like things were going to be alright when I couldn’t guarantee it.” I sigh, casting my head down, unable to face him.

I feel his gentle calloused hand tip my chin up to meet his gaze. His eyes, that beautiful hazel, glassed over. Despite it all, despite what I put him through, there is still so much love in them, and I know I’ll never really deserve it.

“Loving you was the greatest gift I’ve ever known, and ever will know,” he smiles as if he’s remembering the short time we did have together. “I’ll be here waiting if you should ever change your mind or in case something ever happens.”

“Cass,” I start to protest but he stops me.

“I’ve loved you for so many years y/n. There can be no one else but you. If I don’t get to have you until we are both old and gray so be it. I’ve waited this long,” he assures me cupping my cheek.

I don’t even have words to reply to his confession. Boundaries be damned. I threw myself around him pulling him as close as possible. His arms tighten around me like he had been waiting for me to make a move. In the embrace there’s an understanding, an unsaid agreement.

I back away to see those hazel eyes once more, my own eyes raking over his body. I notice he’s not dressed in a fine suit jacket, or even his fighting leathers. Instead, he’s donning a loose fitted shirt, something completely unfit for a royal wedding.

“You’re not staying are you?” I ask, pressing a hand to his stubbled cheek that tells me he didn’t shave this morning.

“No, I just had to see you one last time,” he answers, taking my hand from his cheek so he could hold both of them.

The weight of his words shoot right through me, and as I look at him, I let them sink in. I watched as a tear slid down his own cheek, it was the only time I had ever seen the general cry.

“One last time,” I repeated, letting the words consume me.

His eyes glanced down at my lips, a silent plea to taste them again,

“Can I?” he whispered.

“Gods yes,” I sigh.

A hand drifted up cupping my cheek and pulling me into a kiss. The last kiss we might ever share. I poured every ounce of love into it trying to give him something to remember me by, trying to savor every moment of it for when my days ahead were darkest. My chest heaved as if being pulled forward and then…

Snap.

It was as if a piece of me was returned, one I never knew I lost. I pulled back to meet his gaze and by the way he looked at me I could tell he knew, had known. I felt like I was truly seeing him for the first time as that shimmering golden bond glowed between us.

“You’re my-” I started but I jumped at the bang sounding throughout the room.

My eyes met the fiery auburn of Eris’ as he entered the room, at least twenty autumn court soldiers behind him. I didn’t have time to step away as he winnowed to me pulling me away from Cassian.

“You!” he seethed at my general who was already assessing the situation. “I had my suspicions but never the proof and you fell into my trap so easily.” he boasted.

My thoughts scrambled to what Cassian had said earlier…”They don’t have you that well guarded.”

“Restrain the bastard!” Eris ordered his grip on my arm tightening at the command.

“No!” I screamed lurching for Cassian but Eris hauled me back to him.

The soldiers were on him in an instant all of them falling like dominos before The Lord of Bloodshed. Cassian’s eyes blazed with a fury by the likes of which I had never seen before, he wasn’t a general protecting his princess. He was a male protecting his mate.

Eris’ body tensed behind mine as soldier after soldier fell. In an act of desperation I felt him unsheathe the dagger at his thigh, pressing the blade to my throat.

“Oh general,” Eris sang.

It was enough to catch Cassian’s attention for a split second, his eyes widening as he saw the position I was in. A rogue soldier used the small window of time to pull his dagger and stab it through Cassian’s side.

“NO!” I screamed as Cassian hissed, his knees hitting the floor. Immediately the rest of the soldiers were on him, restraining him and binding his wings. His siphons tried to come to light but sputtered out.

“Bloodbane,” Eris smiles, lowering the dagger from my throat. “Stings like a bitch doesn’t it?”

“Eris please, don’t do this. He’s my mate, I didn’t know until now and-”

“I would choose your next words very carefully, pet,” he cuts me off. “Right now your ‘mate’ has been stabbed with a dagger laced in bloodbane, which means that even if your dear brother did know he was here he couldn't communicate with him. As for Rhysand, he now sits in a wedding chapel completely unaware and unarmed with a bloodbane arrow aimed for his fucking throat. And last time I checked the only asset you had was a magic cunt.”

Cassain growled from the other side of the room at Eris’ vulgar words. My eyes flitted to where he was pulling against the restraints.

“However, I consider myself a merciful ruler,” Eris taunted, grabbing my face to meet his stare. “I’ll give you a choice. You either walk down that aisle, be a good little wife, and pop out a couple of heirs as promised, or you call off the wedding and I’ll gut your precious general where he kneels.”

“y/n, no!” Cassian gritted through bared teeth.

I watched my mate struggle to break free, the bloodbane in his system beginning to take over. I looked to Eris who stared at me with hungry eyes. I tried to think of some way out of this, but Eris was right. We had fallen right into this trap, and my hands were tied.

My gaze met Cassian who could read my face like a book, “I’m sorry Cassian, but I once told you that I could never live with myself if something happened to you and I had the power to stop it.” I turn to face Eris and his shit eating grin. “If you promise not to hurt him, or my brother, I will go with you.”

“You will submit to me fully?” Eris asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” I nod, my mind flashing back to when Rhys was in the same position.

Eris steps closer to me, tilting my head up in an act of dominance, his mouth too close to mine for comfort. I could hear Cassian’s grunts as he continued to try and break free.

“And you’ll warm my cock whenever I please?” he muses, clearly loving the control he has over me.

“Yes,” I grit.

He smiled triumphantly, releasing my chin as he turned to his guards, “Take him away and lock him in the dungeons.”

“You said-”

“When you walk down that aisle and say ‘I do’ then I shall send him back to the Night Court, Jewel of Prythian. I won’t be taking any chances.” Eris growls in my face before turning to Cassian who had now been brought to his feet. “If I ever see you in my court, or anywhere near my wife again Prince of Bastards, I will make sure that she pays the price.”

“You fucking bastard!” Cassian roars, body nearly limp from the bloodbane as he’s hauled off by the guards.

“Wait, let me say goodbye!” I cry running to him, but I’m yanked back by my arm so roughly it nearly pops out of its socket.

“Your obedience begins now!” Eris grits but I pay him no mind thrashing about in his grasp trying to touch my mate once last time as he disappears behind the oak doors.

“Cassian!” I scream for him, tears waterfalling over my eyes.

“y/n!” he shouts back.

But it’s too late. The doors close with a definite slam and I’m left weeping in Eris’ grasp as I hear the sounds of Cassian struggling down the hall.

Cassian’s pov:

Eris was right, the bloodbane hurt like a bitch. Even an hour later as I sat on the cold, wet floor of the Autumn Court cell, the toxin still made me feel lethargic. As if I had taken the world's strongest sleeping tonic.

The worst part of it all was that I could hear everything. The organ playing signaling that y/n was walking down the aisle and the cheers of the people as they finally said their vows. The worst and loudest of them all were the bells.

They rang with such clarity, and joy. The happy little melody could be heard from everyone in the Autumn Court, announcing that the Eris and y/n were finally wed. The ringing made me double over with grief, their sound a reminder that I was the only male in Prythian who could not protect his mate. A shame greater than being a bastard, and one I would carry with me until the end of my days.

Metal on metal screeched from somewhere in the dungeon as a light poured in. The jingling of keys and stomping of boots stopped at the door to my cell and I didn’t even bother to look up. Nothing mattered anymore anyways.

“Come on ‘Prince of Bastards’, time for you to go back to your own court,” the guard grumbled, like hauling me home was a huge inconvenience to him.

I rose to my feet and stepped languidly out of the door. The restraints on my wrists and wings were removed, the skin on my wrists rubbed raw from the blue stone shackles. I was led up the stairs to where the wards ended and was immediately winnowed to the border of the Autumn and Winter Court. The cold blizzards of winter whipping around us and chilling my wings.

“Prince Eris has asked me to remind you that you are now banished from this court. He also says that should you choose to seek out his wife once more you know what the consequences will be.” the guard relayed.

Before I could even think about punching the asshole square in his jaw he disappeared into thin air, no doubt going back to his post in the basement of the palace.

I was left with nothing but the sound of my own thoughts, and the feelings of my own guilt as I flew home towards the House of Wind where I knew Azriel was waiting. The flight was the longest one I had ever been on, as normally I took this route with y/n in my arms.

I had never been so happy to touch down on solid ground once more. Azriel tentatively walked out onto the balcony, two glasses of whiskey in hand. His shadows told him that something was very wrong.

“What the hell happened?” He asked, an alarm ringing in his voice.

The lump in my throat returns as I remember how it all went down. “The bond snapped for her, and she changed her mind. Eris found us, said he had set the whole thing up. I was stabbed with a bloodbane dagger,” I say, lifting my arm to assess the blood leaking from my side. “He told her that if she didn’t marry him he would gut me and Rhys.”

The next words teeter on my lips as I feel my eyes brimming with tears. It felt like pieces of me were being ripped out as I finally confessed to my failure.

“I couldn’t save her,” I choked out, voice cracking halfway through.

The words being uttered into the world was enough to have my knees crashing to the ground. The impact radiating through my body to the open wound on my side that still hadn’t healed. I was sure that Azriel had said something as I heard the glasses of whiskey clatter to the ground. But the roaring in my ears was so loud, so unbearable, that the only thing that assured me he was still there was the arm he slung around my back as he knelt next to me.

y/n’s pov:

The wedding was uneventful and to be honest the only part of it I remembered was when the priestess said, “If there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two may not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The silence that had fallen upon the crowd was so deafening I nearly shuddered. I was stupid to hope that he would come charging in like some fairytale I had read as a child. The smug look on Eris' face as the priestess continued with the nuptials made my blood go cold.

The reception was even worse. I had spent the entire time sipping wine with a bland expression on my face. It seemed as though Eris’ new favorite word was ‘wife’ considering he found a way to use it in every sentence. While most would think it a term of endearment I knew it was just to show his ownership.

“Prince Eris, congratulations on stealing ‘The Jewel’ from us all,” a voice said, cutting across the sea of chatter. I looked up from my lap to find the High Lord of Spring, standing before our table.

“Thank you Tamlin, she is quite the prize,” Eris crooned, placing a kiss to the back of my hand.

“That she is,” Tamlin nodded, his eyes raking me from head to toe. “Almost makes me regret crossing her brother, I would’ve liked to have been in the race for her hand.”

“All in the past now,” Eris smiles, kissing the palm of my hand. “Right wife?”

“Right,” I nod to him before turning to Tamlin. “High Lord, where is the Cursebreaker tonight? I would’ve liked to make my acquaintance.” I ask secretly hoping that my brother might catch a glimpse of his mate tonight.

“Feyre is,” he averts his gaze from mine as if trying to decide what to say. “She is safe at home. Busily planning for the wedding.”

“The wedding?” I inquired further, wondering if Rhys knew.

“Yes we are to be wed soon,” Tamlin beamed with pride. “I’m sure we will see you both present?”

“Of course Tamlin, of course,” Eris assured the High Lord of Spring.

Surely if Feyre was getting married to Tamlin my brother knew. I hoped I would get the chance to tell him. The last thing our court, well I suppose his court now, needed was another separation of mates.

The rest of the night passed on quite slowly. At one point I was able to feel the bond between Cassian and I. It was faint, but it was there, and I almost swore that I felt him tug on it at one point. It wasn’t until people started making their excuses to go home that Eris finally said the words I had been dreading.

“Shall we go to bed, wife?” he mused his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“After I say goodbye to my brother,” I nod standing up to find Rhys, wherever he was.

“You’ll see your brother soon enough, my pet. For now let us retire to our chambers,” he growled, grasping my arm and winnowing away to what I assumed was his room.

He watched intently from behind me as I took in my surroundings.

The bed was large, draped in furs and crisp white sheets. Wood paneling surrounded the four walls, giving the place an ornate look. The fireplace was a glow, casting a warm light upon the room. If it had been anyone else’s room it would’ve been cozy, maybe even romantic.

The air filled with tension as I waited for Eris to do something, or say something, as I refused to turn and meet his gaze. The only sound heard was the crackling of the fire.

“I’ve waited for this moment for quite a long time,” Eris mused from where I knew he was leaning against the door.

“You’ve made that abundantly clear throughout our courtship,” I say straight, unable to meet his predatory stare.

“How should I have acted when you are so tempting? So innocent, so pure, and now so completely mine,” he purred and I could hear his feet shuffle as he pushed off the wall. “And now that you’ve promised me your submission? Well,” he chuckled. “I’m going to have a great deal of fun with you.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I knew what was coming and I knew he wouldn’t be gentle and loving like Cassian. I knew that once again my hands were tied.

“Tell me you belong to me,” Eris uttered, taking a step closer to where I stood rigid.

I sucked down the lump in my throat, “I belong to you,” I whispered.

“Tell me you want me to touch you,” he went on, taking another step forward, his presence looming.

“I-I want you to touch me,” I repeated back, a tear slipping down my cheek.

Eris hummed in approval behind me. He took one, two more steps until I felt his warmth at my back. Finger tips danced up and down the backs of my arms causing my breath to lurch in fear. His breath was hot on my neck as his presence sucked out every bit of air from the room.

“Tell me you love me,” he purred.

My heart stopped cold. There were many things I would have to do or say to please Eris in the millennium that I would be tied to him. But these three words? He would never hear them from my lips. Maybe towards our children, but never to him.

“You know it wouldn't be true,” I whisper, feeling the tension radiating from his body.

His hands grip my hips like a brand, ripping my body around until I am face to face with his seething eyes.

“Then I will make it fucking true!” he growls hauling my mouth to his.

Eris had kissed me a thousand times before, not one of those times did I ever enjoy the experience. But this time? This had to be the worst. All of it felt so wrong. Knowing I had a mate. Knowing he was somewhere in this world right now. It made me sick. It was rough, all teeth and tongues. He didn’t want to kiss me, he wanted to devour me.

“Say it!” Eris demanded, breaking apart our so-called kiss.

“I will love your hounds and your mother, I may love your brothers and one day our children, but I will never love you, Eris Vanserra,” I seethed, unable to take much more.

I expected him to growl, or curse or hit me. I expected a thorough lashing for what I had said, but he didn’t even so much as flinch. What scared me more? His mouth curled up in a smirk.

“You forget that you are also a Vanserra now and speaking of heirs, I think it’s time I put one in you right now,” he mused and my stomach bottomed out. “What do you say ‘Jewel of Prythian’ think I can get you knocked up on the first try?” he smiled, backing me to his bed.

There were no words for the terror I felt. No handbook to prepare me for what came next. All I could do was shut down every emotion I had and do my best to become a ghost. A shell of myself.

No matter how hard I tried, it didn’t subdue the pain.

Azriel’s pov:

I thought that getting Cass drunk might help distract him from the feelings floating down the bond tonight, but boy was I fucking wrong.

I had seen my brother lose soldiers and whole infantries. Had seen him lose his first love, the valkyrie, Tanwyn. I was there the day Rhys and y/n went under the mountain and we thought we lost them for good.

None of that compared to the screams of agony that emanated from the male before me.

“He’s fucking hurting her!” Cassian bemoaned, gripping the nearly empty bottle of whiskey.

It didn’t take much to figure out that he could feel everything y/n was feeling through the bond. And at this late hour? It wasn’t hard to guess what Eris was doing to her, and Cassian had to feel every moment of it down the bond.

“Shh calm down Cass you have to try and block her out,” I pleaded with him, gripping his hand in mine.

His eyes were glassed over, his hair tangled from him nearly ripping it out at the roots. He had been like this for well over an hour now, and I almost wished the whiskey would do its job and make him fall asleep simply so he would be unconscious.

“I can’t Az I’ve tried,” he yells at me, nearly slumping to the side from where he sat on the floor leaning against the wall.

Earlier Rhys had spoken into my mind and asked if everything was alright. I had lied of course, telling him everything was fine, not wanting to insert myself in my brother and the princess’ business. Now I wished I had told him to come if only for him to break into Cass’ head and make him sleep. Watching him feel everything his mate was feeling while she was being… well there weren’t words for it.

“Breathe Cass, breathe,” I soothed, trying to get him to catch his breath long enough to breathe in and out fully.

“I-I can’t,” he cried. “My mate.”

His voice resonated with hopelessness and brokenness, reminiscent of the tragedies depicted in literature. This situation felt nothing short of hellish. For centuries, I longed for a mate—a bond that every fae yearned for. But witnessing how it tormented Rhysand, and observing its impact on Cassian, made me question if I truly desired a mate. In my 500 years of life, I had never seen a male stripped down to his core as profoundly as this.

y/n’s pov:

The next morning I woke up late in the day, the atrocities of last night lasting well into the early hours of the morning. It took me a moment to get my bearings. I wasn’t in the House of Wind, I was in Eris’ room. It wasn’t Cassian’s arms around me in a possessive grasp, it was Eris’.

I slowed my heartrate down enough to assess the room around me. Behind me, Eris was fast asleep, which meant I had a few moments to collect myself before he woke. I looked around the room for a second space and found a door ajar that appeared to lead to a bathroom. I saw my opportunity and took it, carefully wiggling out of Eris’ grasp.

My body ached all over, especially between my legs, but I pushed through until I stood from the bed. I tiptoed over to the bathroom, shutting the door as quietly as possible. Thankfully there were two robes hung on the door. The one for Eris made up of thick cotton, and the one for me made of a cream colored silk.

I reached for the silk robe and slipped it over my bare body, noting every large bruise and handprint that littered my skin. A problem for a later time, I told myself.

I must’ve spent fifteen minutes in the bathroom collecting myself. Constantly repeating my new found mantra.

I will not cry.

I spent so long taking deep breaths that I thought I was prepared for whatever came next. But the second I opened the door and saw Eris standing, staring down at the white sheets of the bed expectantly I knew I was sorely mistaken.

“You didn’t bleed,” Eris stated, tossing the bedsheets aside, stalking towards me.

“What do you mean?” I replied feigning innocence like I didn’t know what he meant.

My heart began to beat out of my chest as Eris stalked closer and closer to me. How could I have been so stupid? To overlook the one thing that meant the most to him in this entire facade.

“Virgins are supposed to bleed the first time they are taken by a male, yet you didn’t,” he growled, stepping into my bubble as my back hit the wall. Never in my life had I felt so small. “Which means you weren’t pure when you married me, or when you came to my bed.”

Every nerve in my body froze over as I watched him put together the pieces. There was no telling what happened next, and the only thing I could do was beg for mercy from whatever plans Eris had for a soiled female.

“Eris I-”

“Did you let that Illyrian bastard deflower you?” he gritted out, a rough hand came to grip my throat, slamming my head against the wall.

Tears pricked my eyes. Even if I had wanted to answer, the hand on my neck wouldn’t allow me. I could only shake in terror and anticipation of what would become of me.

“You useless, pathetic fucking whore.” he gritted, hand squeezing tighter with every insult. “Our marriage is now null and void by the traditions of my court, which means you no longer have the protection of being called my wife.”

His hand releases my throat and I have mere seconds to suck down a breath before a harsh slap falls across my cheek, knocking the air from my lungs once again. The next thing I know I’m kneeling on the floor, clutching my face. Eris reaches out a hand to yank me up by my hair.

“Let me show you what we do to ran through sluts in my court,” Eris spits in my face.

His hand doesn’t relinquish its grip from my hair. Instead it begins to drag me out of the room and down the hall. My scalp is burning from the tug on my hair. He takes a back corridor reserved for servants and my bare knees bump, slice and break on the rough stone stairs leading down to wherever he’s taking me.

My hands try to find purchase on the walls around me so that I can ground myself and fight back but it’s impossible.

“ERIS PLEASE!” I scream, but my pleas fall on deaf ears.

We reach a basement room that drops in temperature and he finally releases me. I try to catch my breath as I watch him scribble something on a piece of paper, picking up a hammer and nail. I instantly go to cower in a corner as he walks towards me. The autumn prince pulls me out of my fetal position by my ankles pinning me to the ground beneath his weight.

“In case I did get you pregnant on the first try,” he seethes before I feel a sharp pain to my lower abdomen.

I don’t look down, I can’t look down. Afraid of what I might see there when I do. My eyes roll to the back of my head as Eris grasps my arm and a cloud of darkness washes over us.

When the shadow withdraws my bare skin is whipped and flayed by blistering cold winds. The ground beneath me is soft, but ice cold. I open my eyes long enough to see white as far as the eye can see.

The Winter Court.

“And just in case you get any ideas about utilizing that so-called mating bond,” Eris speaks again before another sharp sting plunges into my side.

White hot pain spreads from the intrusion and spreads like acid moving through my veins. I feel like the blood beneath my skin is on fire, and I almost wish it was in order to combat the blizzard around me. Only one thing could disable me like this, bloodbane. The very same used on Cassian.

“You’ve brought this upon yourself, ‘Jewel of Prythian’. I hope that bastard general was worth your life and your court. Because when Hybern comes to call it won’t be Autumn Court armies that come to your aid.” Eris says, the disgust in his voice evident.

I can’t speak, can’t even think about anything but the agony I feel. The throb from my lower abdomen and from my side. The bite of the wind and snow on my bare skin. I can barely register the cloud of darkness as Eris winnows himself away, leaving me with nothing but a silk robe for warmth.

I reached down with a cold hand to rip the dagger from my side. I hoped if I could stop the bloodbane from spreading that I might be able to use the bond to call Cassian. The second I discard the dagger blood stains the white snow surrounding me, and I realize my mistake. My hand grasps at the open wound, attempting to apply pressure. As I sat there, bleeding and freezing to death I thought of one thing.

It was all for nothing.

All the pain, all the suffering. Hurting Cassian, hurting myself. It had all been for nothing. I was dying and alone, fingers and toes already losing feeling and I still had no army for my people. Cassian nowhere in sight to save my body and my soul. And I would die here knowing that it was all for nothing.

Because time was of the essence, and no one was coming.

Part 10

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hbyrde36 · 8 days ago

Text

Chapter Eight

WC: 6858 | R: Explicit | TW: Suicidal Ideation/Depression | Ch 8/10 | AO3

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7 <-

“I’m losing my mind, Robin.” Steve groaned, slumping in his seat on the other side of the booth.

It felt a little strange leaving Eddie alone back at the house after he’d talked about leaving this morning, only to be guilt tripped into staying. Steve was furious with himself for slipping like that, for not being able to hold it in and just let Eddie go, but he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t relieved that the other boy had changed his mind.

Mostly relieved.

“That's a little dramatic,” Robin said around a mouthful of bacon cheeseburger. “I think Eddie’s rubbing off on you.”

Steve cut her a hard glare. If she only knew. “That’s kinda the problem.”

“Ew,” she mumbled, before setting her food back down and pushing the plate away.

Steve rolled his eyes. “I'm serious!”

“Again, ew, but tell me more.”

After a quick glance at the empty tables directly surrounding them, Steve launched into his explanation in a hushed frenzy.

“He made it very clear he wasn’t interested but now he’s sending me more mixed signals than ever. And I know myself, okay? I fall too fast and too hard. I knew it would be tough to get over, but it’s like ever since he rejected me, things have only gotten more… more… everything! More intense, more flirty, more physical, more confusing. And then this morning I woke up and he was, y’know—”

Steve trailed off, bringing his hands up attempting to mime the not-unwelcome, but definitely compromising, position he’d found himself in that morning.

“I don’t get it,” Robin said.

“Come on, you know…”

Steve tried again, curing two fingers of his left hand in to create a crack, and extending his right pointer finger to rub aggressively between them.

“Still not getting it,” she said again. “I think you should keep going.”

This time Steve could hear the laughter in her voice and see the strain in her lips from trying not to smile.

“Oh fuck you.”

Robin smiled sweetly. “I’ll pass, thanks, but it sounds like Eddie’s up for it.”

“I don’t know,” Steve said with a sigh. “The second he woke up and realized it was me he was dry humping in his sleep, he freaked and ran out of the room.”

“He was probably just embarrassed or something,” she insisted, waving a hand.

Steve grimaced. He’d have thought the same thing, except…

“I pretended to sleep through it.”

“Steven!”

“What else was I supposed to do?!” He hissed.

Robin raised both eyebrows, taking a long loud sip from her almost empty strawberry milkshake before responding. “Say something maybe? Hump him back? I don’t know, I don’t know how people with penises communicate with each other!”

Steve rolled his eyes.

“You want to know what I think?” She went on. “I think you’re both idiots.”

“Not helpful.”

She shrugged. “If not idiots, then either one or both of you is suffering from a serious case of denial.”

“No—he just doesn’t like me like that,” Steve said. It was the only thing that made sense.

“Suuuure he doesn’t, that’s why he flirted with you so much during the whole Vecna thing.”

Steve was less than amused that she referred to their hellish ordeal over spring break as, ‘the whole Vecna thing’, but aside from that.

“Yeah, right,” he scoffed.

Robin’s mouth dropped open, and she gave him a look of pure disbelief. “Are you serious right now? The bambi eyes? The vest? Big boy? Should I go on?”

And sure, Steve had noticed those things… and everything after. It was part of why he’d gone and finally kissed Eddie in the first place, but clearly he’d read it all wrong. “It doesn’t matter, okay? I think he’s just like that.”

“How have you been on so many dates and yet you have no idea when someone is genuinely flirting their ass off with you?”

“I don’t know.” Steve whined, resting his cheek on the table and throwing his arms over his head.

Steve was hit by a wave of relief when he turned onto his street and saw Eddie’s van still sitting in the driveway, smiling to himself as he pulled his car in right next to it. He hadn’t realized til then just how worried he’d been that it might not be. That Eddie might have changed his mind and left while he was out to avoid another talk.

He schooled his face into something more neutral as he climbed the stairs, after finding the first floor empty, assuming Eddie was in his room writing away. But a peek in the open guest room doorway found it vacant as well and he quickly pivoted on his heel to look in his own room instead.

“Oh—” Steve breathed, the sight in front of him hitting him like a ton of bricks. Eddie was there alright, sitting speechless on the floor in front of a cardboard box. A very particular cardboard box.

Shit.

“Um… I can explain?”

With everything else going on he’d almost forgotten about it.

Much of Steve’s memories from the night they fought Vecna were clear and sharp… too sharp in some ways, but his recollections turned a little hazy after they were forced to leave the hospital without knowing if Eddie would live or die.

Robin had wanted to stay with him, but her parents were already there at Steve’s house, camped out on his doorstep after searching for her all over town. They’d practically dragged her out of his car when he parked. In a way, Steve had been glad for it. He couldn’t have the breakdown he needed to have in front of her. She screamed and fought until Steve told her to go, that he’d be fine, and he’d call her the next day.

He’d trudged into the house, clutching Eddie’s vest in his fist, his legs growing heavier and weaker with each step. As the last of the adrenaline in his system faded away, he stumbled, landing hard on the foyer floor, all alone in his big empty house, and couldn’t find the will to get up.

On hands and knees he’d crawled down the hall to the small bathroom on the ground floor, the angry wounds at his sides and back pulling with every movement, a searing pain that made him want to curl up and cry—or maybe it was just the critical mass.

With tears beginning to blur his vision he finally reached the sink, pulling himself up with hands that were still tacky with the remnants of dried blood. He washed and scrubbed but the reddish-brown color of it had settled deep into the lines of his palms and under his nails and it’s not like it mattered. His hands would never be clean.

Even if Eddie did make it.

A sudden wave of nausea had him lunging for the toilet, violently expelling what little was in his stomach, and once it was truly empty, dry heaving for good measure before finally collapsing to the ground, pressing his cheek into the cool tile below.

The faint light of dawn was streaming in through the bathroom’s small window by the time he scraped himself up off the floor, grabbing Eddie’s vest from where he’d dropped it in the hall before making his way up the stairs to his room.

He carefully folded the bundle of filthy denim, soaked in blood and gore and laid it down on his desk before taking off his own ruined clothes. Somehow he found the energy to shower, and a few blinks later he was as clean as he was going to get, dressed in a fresh pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt, staring down at the heap of soiled cloth he’d just stripped out of, so stained that the shirt and jacket looked like they were a completely different color than when he’d put them on at The War Zone.

It was so much blood he could hardly wrap his head around the reality of it. In the moment, he’d been a little more focused on getting Eddie’s heart beating again. It hadn’t really sunk in. Could a person really survive losing so much? Could they have gone through all this, gotten Eddie safely to the hospital only for him to die anyway?

Would that just be it? Dead and gone without a goodbye?

Steve fought to cut that thought off at its ankles, to think positively, to have hope, but it refused to fall away completely. Pulled by a force he didn’t understand at the time, and only barely did now, he went to his closet, dragging out a box that held his old school books, binders, flashcards and the like, and dumped the contents to the floor.

He considered again the pile of his dirty clothes and thought nonsensically that these bits of Eddie, his blood, his vest… If the worst happened they might be all Steve had left to remember him by. Without further hesitation he scooped it all into the box, and after running his fingers over the buttons on its front one last time, he placed the vest on top of the stack, closed the box’s flaps, and slid it under his bed for safe keeping.

But he couldn’t say all of that, could he?

“Jesus, it sounds even worse when I say it out loud. I’m sorry, I know it was crazy. I-I’m just gonna shut up now.”

Steve expected a lot of things in that moment, most of them involving Eddie fleeing from the room like his hair was on fire, and never speaking to him again. What he didn’t expect, could never in a million years have seen coming, was Eddie’s voice so softly saying, “not crazy,” as he rose to his feet and padded closer.

A hand gently circled Steve’s wrist, pulling his hands away from his face, and left him looking up into Eddie’s heavy lidded gaze.

“Or if it is, I don’t fucking care—.”

The next thing Steve knew Eddie was climbing into his lap, running those long fingers through his hair, and kissing him like the world might end again if he didn’t.

Steve whined into Eddie’s mouth as Eddie deepened the kiss, their lips slotting together as if they were always meant to meet this way. It made him regret all over again that embarrassing morning in the kitchen. This should have been their first kiss. But, if that moment had in any way led them to this one?

He’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

When they were forced to come up for air, Eddie pulled back, grasping Steve’s shirt by the hem and tugging it over his head in one quick movement. Steve moved to do the same in return, wanting to feel as much of Eddie against as much of himself as humanly possible before he woke up from this glorious daydream. But Eddie stilled his hands as they grasped the cloth of his faded t-shirt, his eyes suddenly guarded, nervous, where moments ago they were filled only with heat.

That wouldn’t do.

Steve understood well the fear of being seen, in all meanings of the word. He had his own scars and imperfections, and if it had been anyone other than Eddie perched in his lap right now, stripping him bare, he might have had a similar reaction, but Eddie knew where he’d been, what he’d endured, what they’d both fought against together. If anyone could understand them, it was each other, and he couldn’t let Eddie go on for one more second thinking otherwise. He released his hold on Eddie’s shirt, taking both of Eddie’s hands in his and slowly raising them to his lips, pressing a kiss to each of his knuckles without ever breaking eye contact.

“I wanna see you too,” he said, his mouth still hovering above the back of Eddie’s hand. “Please.”

Eddie stared, eyes shining and mouth agape for a moment before squeezing Steve's hands and pushing them aside, before slowly pulling his shirt up over his head himself, tossing it to the floor.

It wasn’t the first time Steve had seen Eddie shirtless, but it was the first time he allowed himself to admire the view openly. Pink and red scars stood out, stark against the pale expanse of Eddie’s chest and midsection.

Steve leaned in, pressing gentle open-mouthed kisses over every inch of still-healing skin, worshiping the scars he’d only glanced at before, afraid to stare too long and give himself away. Wrapping one arm around his back, Steve held Eddie close, his other hand caressing up the length of his side, rolling a thumb over Eddie’s remaining nipple as he licked the scar tissue where the other would have been. Eddie shuddered at the touch, head thrown back as a breathy sigh escaped his lips.

It could have gone on like that forever and Steve would have been in heaven but soon Eddie was taking his chin in hand, angling his mouth up to claim it with his own as he pushed back, and back, until Steve was lying flat on the bed with Eddie full weight resting on top of him.

They ground against each other as their tongues danced. Eddie was hard, undeniable so, the length of him pressing deliciously into Steve’s own throbbing cock, every movement of their hips together sending sparks of pleasure through his core. Just when Steve thought he couldn't take it anymore, that he was going to come in his pants like some blushing virgin, Eddie shifted.

Raising himself up on his knees, Eddie began to slide down Steve’s body, kissing and licking and biting a trail from his throat, all the way down his chest and stomach until he reached the waistband of his Jeans. Eddie paused then, looking up as he took the button fly between two fingers, as if asking silent permission.

Steve reached down to cup Eddie’s cheek, brushing over his full swollen lips with his thumb. “Are you sure you want to?” He asked.

Eddie’s tongue darted out, licking the tip of Steve’s thumb as he nuzzled into his touch. “Are you kidding?”

With deft hands, Eddie worked Steve’s pants open, turning his head to press a kiss to his palm before moving away, climbing down off the bed to pull Steve’s jeans all the way off. He was left lying there in only his boxers, his hard cock tenting them obscenely as Eddie gazed down at him, licking his lips.

Steve stared right back, holding Eddie’s eye as he slipped his hands through the waistband of his boxers and slowly pulled them down.

A punched out sound escaped Eddie’s throat when Steve’s length sprang free and he started to rush forward, before pausing to push his own pants to the floor, underwear and all, leaving them both completely bare for the other, for the very first time.

Until that moment Steve had sort of forgot that this was new to him, that it was his first time fooling around with a man and he should probably be feeling nervous about that, but all he think was how right it all felt and the only thing making him nervous was that this was Eddie, someone he’d come to care about so fucking much.

Finally, Eddie crawled back onto the bed, his cock swinging heavy and hard between his legs, a tempting sight that made Steve’s mouth start to water, before settling himself on his stomach between Steve’s thighs.

After pressing a tender kiss to the inside of Steve’s thigh, Eddie dove right in, taking the head of Steve’s cock into his mouth.

The feel of Eddie’s tongue swirling around the tip of him was second only to the sight of it, those stretched lips, the way he held Steve’s gaze through the curtain of his dark lashes as he sank down, taking more and more into his mouth, and it was all Steve could do not to throw his head back and revel in it.

He wasn’t going to last at this rate, it simply felt too good.

Steve tried to hold himself still, let Eddie take what he could, what he wanted, but when he hollowed his cheeks Steve hips bucked of their own accord, until he slammed into the back of Eddie’s throat.

“Fuck,” Steve cursed, half crazed with pleasure, but fighting against his every instinct to not move again. “S-sorry, I—”

His stuttered apologies were cut off by a needy, strangled moan, the vibration doing nothing to cool the heat building like a wave in his body. Eddie's eyes rolled back, and his hands slid under Steve’s ass, squeezing, encouraging him to thrust again.

That was all Steve needed to let go, to begin fucking up into Eddie’s throat with abandon, spurred on by every little whine and whimper, and the way Eddie’s throat convulsed as he swallowed around him.

“Close,” Steve forced out as he lost his rhythm, hips bucking erratically. It was the only warning he could muster, too lost in the haze to form more words than that.

He expected Eddie to pull off, maybe finish him by hand, not that he’d need much help, but instead he doubled down, meeting each thrust to help drive Steve’s cock deeper and deeper until the wave of pleasure inside him became tsunami, cracking over and through him until he came, shooting hot down Eddie’s throat with a choked off cry.

Steve came back to himself in bits and pieces, his softening cock still engulfed in warmth as Eddie held it in his mouth, gently sucking him clean.

It made him squirm, feeling both amazing and too much all at the same time, and as soon as the blood returned to the rest of his body Steve was hauling Eddie up to lay on top of him again, claiming Eddie’s ruined mouth with his own.

The kiss was salty and bitter and filthy and wonderful, and as much as Steve never wanted this moment to end, he could feel Eddie, so hard where his cock was trapped between them, grinding against his naked hip.

Steve pushed up against him, offering more friction as he continued his assault on Eddie’s lips and tongue.

“God, Steve,” Eddie cried out, pulling back to catch his breath. “I think I could come just like this.”

“Yeah?”

Steve wound his hand into Eddie’s hair, lightly griping it at the base of his head, angling it up to give him better access to his neck. Eddie arched his back at the touch, a high-pitched keening noise slipping from his mouth as he ground his hips faster, chasing his own pleasure. Steve tightened his hold on Eddie’s hair, tugging harder, at the same time dragging his teeth along Eddie’s throat.

Eddie spilled between them suddenly in a hot rush, his nails digging into Steve’s shoulders as he rode out his orgasm.

Their lips met again in a few slow lazy kisses as Eddie came down, until finally they relaxed into each other, Eddie’s head resting on Steve’s chest.

All too soon the afterglow was fading, and Steve could feel his anxiety creeping in, the worry that Eddie would regret what they had just done.

Or worse, that it hadn’t meant anything to him, when it had meant the world to Steve.

That nothing had actually changed.

Before he could turn his fears into coherent thought, let alone give voice to those thoughts, the sound of someone laying hard on the doorbell downstairs rang through the house.

“Shit, I forgot,” Eddie said, jumping up from the bed like a shot, leaving Steve cold and alone, his arms suddenly empty. “Wayne said he was off tonight and he wanted to stop by.”

Steve glanced at the clock, anything to stop himself from watching Eddie clean himself off with a wad of tissues and scramble around frantically for his pants, looking spooked.

6:00pm.

“Shit, shit, shit,” Eddie cursed again, sounding truly panicked as he tried to turn his t-shirt right-side-out with shaking hands, and it was enough to have Steve swallowing his own feelings, knowing there'd be plenty of time to wade through that mess later.

He rose from the bed, ignoring his own nakedness and gently took the shirt from Eddie’s hand, flipping it around and slipping it over his head for him.

“Hey,” Steve said softly, reaching up to run his fingers through Eddie’s curls. His hair still looked wild, but less like they’d been rolling around in bed, and more the way it usually fell. “Why don’t you go let him in, see if he wants to stay for dinner, and I'll be right down. Okay?”

For a beat Eddie just stared at him, but then the frazzled look in his eyes eased a bit and the ghost of a smile appeared across his lips. “Yeah, okay. I’d… um, I think he’d like that.”

After another long pause with those big doe eyes trained on Steve’s face, which had his heart threatening to climb up into his throat, Eddie went for the door, looking back over his shoulder one more time before disappearing out into the hall.

The instant he was alone Steve dropped back down onto the bed, Eddie’s cum still wet on his hip and dripping down his thigh. He took a moment to collect himself, wiping the evidence of what they’d done together off with a handful of kleenex the same way Eddie had.

He was glad Wayne was there, he knew the man had to have been missing his nephew, and vise versa, but the timing was… not ideal, to put it mildly.

Burying his face in his pillow and trying to ignore the dread pooling in his stomach, Steve thought over what they had in the fridge. It took him all of three seconds to decide to take it easy on himself and order a pizza.

Now he just had to get dressed, put on a good face for Wayne, and make it through an entire evening before he’d get to find out what happened now, and how Eddie felt.

“It's good to see you, son,” Wayne said, wrapping Steve up in a tight hug.

The moment Steve had walked in the living room, finding both Munsons on the couch with Cokes in hand, Wayne had smiled, a rare sight, and gotten up to greet him as though he’d missed Steve as much as his own family.

Steve swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat as they separated. “Y-you too, Mr. Mu—”

Wayne clicked his tongue, looking at Steve pointedly.

“—Wayne.”

The older man nodded, pleased, and retook his seat. “Eddie was just fillin’ me in on what you boys been up to.”

“Um…” Steve felt himself go pale, shooting a confused and slightly panicked glance at Eddie.

“I think it’s great you spent some time with that little fella Dustin and the rest of your young friends. Even let ‘em sleep over, I hear. You’re a right saint, Steve.”

“Right, yes! The kids,” Steve rushed out.

Eddie snorted a laugh, hiding it behind his hands.

Steve shot him a look, before turning back to Wayne. “It was a great night. They really missed Eddie.”

“Not gonna tell him about my own bit of altruism?” Eddie asked, puffing up his chest.

Steve rolled his eyes, crossing the room to plop down on the open end of the couch next to Eddie. The little back and forth was doing wonders to settle his nerves. This should have been one of the more awkward moments of his entire life, and it was a little, but it also felt kinda nice, teasing like it was any normal day.

“Don’t pretend it’s some noble act to run your little nerd game for them. You know you love it.”

Eddie cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. “Guilty as charged.”

“Oh, Ed,” Wayne said, voice cracking a little. He turned away for a second, wiping it as eyes. “Sorry, just glad to see you enjoying yourself, and a’course, It’s good to hear you talking about Demons and Daggers again.”

It was Steve’s turn to snort. “It’s Dungeons and Dipshits, actually,” he couldn’t resist chiming in.

“I hate both of you,” Eddie grumbled.

Wayne chuckled, reaching over to ruffle his nephew’s hair. “Sure ya do.

The pizza came in record time, and the three of them quickly dug in, eating straight out of the box, a roll of paper towels Eddie had swiped from the kitchen doubling as their dishware and their napkins.

Steve’s mom would have been appalled.

“You boys mind putin’ the game on? Should be a good one,” Wayne asked, tucking in to his second slice.

“Come on,” Eddie whined. “You know I hate basketball. Haven't I suffered enough?”

Steve tossed the remote to Wayne, who nodded his thanks.

“Lucky for you it’s baseball season,” Steve said, bumping his shoulder lightly against Eddie’s.

“Yeah,” Eddie scoffed, sinking back into the couch cushions with his arms crossed, pouting. “Lucky.”

Unfortunately the game was not very exciting. Sometimes baseball was just like that, but though the Cubs and the Cardinals weren’t putting on much of a show, Steve loved every second of it anyway. It might just go down as one the top ten best evenings of his life. He wondered if this was what family dinners were supposed to be like, instead of the stuffy affairs he’d suffered through on the rare occasion his parents were actually around. He much preferred the playful bickering, punctuated by comfortable silences. He could get used to this, and wasn’t that a frightening thought when he still had no idea if he and Eddie’s unexpected romp in the sack meant that the other boy’s feelings had changed.

Though he was thoroughly enjoying the company, once the pizza was gone and the game was over, Steve decided to say good night early. He needed a shower and the Munson men needed a little time to themselves.

He’d just hit the top of the landing, half lost in his own thoughts when Wayne could be heard, whispering loudly from below.

“Alright, kid, I know it’s none of my business, but at least tell me you boys are bein’ safe.”

The question stopped Steve in his tracks, and had him straining his ears to hear more.

There was a soft sputtering noise that clearly came from Eddie, before he stuttered out, “W-what? I don’t know what you–”

Wayne’s gruff voice quickly cut him off. “D’you think I'm blind? Like I can’t see you two making goo–goo eyes at each other right in front of me? You know I don’t got a problem with it. I love you just the way you are, and it looks like I aint the only one.”

There was a long beat of silence before Eddie spoke again. “What are you saying?”

“Christ, I know you struggled in school but I always thought it was ‘cause you didn’t care, not because you were actually dumb as dog shit.” Wayne let out a deep, long-suffering sigh. “That boy is in love with you. No surprise after what he’s done for ya, an’ the way he talked about ya, and listening to me yammerin’ on all the time.”

Steve held his breath, gripping the railing tight enough to make it creak as he braced himself for Eddie’s reply.

“No,” Eddie scoffed. “He can’t… t-that’s not—it’s not like that, okay? We’re just… friends.”

“Does he know that?” Wayne snapped.

“Um—”

“Don't bullshit me, boy. I don’t know what’s goin’ on here… whether you’re lyin’ to him, me, yourself, or all three of us, but I didn’t raise you to be cruel. Don’t be leadin’ him on If you don’t feel somethin’ for him.”

It was enough.

It was too much, actually. Steve could practically feel the pity in Wayne’s voice and he couldn’t bear to hear any more, wishing he’d never eavesdropped in the first place. He fled as quickly and quietly as he could for the bathroom at the end of the hall, locking himself inside.

He wasn’t one to expect good things to happen, not anymore, but he’d let his guard down, let himself begin to hope and it all came crashing down as he stepped under the hot spray of the shower, scrubbing himself like he could erase it all with a loofah and a bar of soap.

When he was as clean as he’d ever been in his life, and fresh out of excuses to keep hiding in there, he wrapped himself in a towel and crept out of the bathroom. He tiptoed past the guest room and into his own with a relieved sigh, only to startle when he found Eddie sitting on his bed, the bed they’d been sharing, the bed where only hours before Steve’s entire world had shifted, his feelings for Eddie crystalizing, for better or for worse, into something lasting.

Something with the power to break him.

Eddie glanced up, his gaze fixed on Steve’s chest before sliding slowly down to where bare skin disappeared under his fluffy white towel.

“Hey,” Steve said, breaking whatever spell Eddie had fallen under.

“Hey,” Eddie parroted back, quickly looking away, cheeks pink. “Can we talk?”

Steve knew what was coming, and he trusted Eddie to let him down easy, like he had before. But unlike before, Steve now knew what Eddie’s tongue tasted like, his sweat, skin. He knew the shape of Eddie’s face when he was filled with want, and the desperate way he whined when a cock hit the back of his throat.

And he knew heartbreak was inevitable, but he couldn’t bring himself to face it quite yet. “I’m kinda tired. Can it wait till morning?”

Eddie studied him for a long time, chewing on his lip, before finally nodding.

Steve went for the dresser, turning his back to Eddie as he moved on autopilot towards the next step in his usual bedtime routine, but as his hand rested on the top drawer’s handle he thought, if this was his last night with Eddie before it all blew up in his face, he might as well take a chance.

With a gentle tug he loosened the towel around his waist letting it drop, the air of the room cooling the now bare skin of his ass and thighs, overwarm from the too long shower. The cloth had barely hit the floor when there was a soft gasp from behind him.

Gathering all the confidence he could, Steve turned back around. Eddie’s eyes were fixed on him once again, darker now, hungry as they raked up and down Steve’s damp body.

In a mirror of their earlier encounter, Steve crossed the room, straddling Eddie’s lap where he sat and bringing their lips together in a deep, all consuming kiss.

Eddie melted against him at first, his arms winding around Steve’s back, holding him tight until he pulled back, panting for breath. ”I thought you were tired?” he said.

In reply Steve only leaned back in, recapturing Eddie’s mouth.

Again Eddie kissed back, like it was instinct, only to break it seconds later, resting their foreheads together. “S-Steve, I really think we should…”

“Please, Eddie,” Steve begged, cutting him off, voice breathy as he ran his hands up under Eddie’s t-shirt. “Not yet.”

Eddie groaned, low and long, and Steve thought he would argue again, but as if he’d used up all of his restraint, Eddie snapped, crushing their lips back together.

Steve smiled into the kiss, breaking it himself only long enough to rip Eddie’s shirt off before licking back into his mouth. His hands roamed all over Eddie’s back, sides, arms, whatever he could reach, trying to commit the feel of him to memory while he had the chance. When he was satisfied that he’d never forget the skin under his hands, Steve pulled away, sliding to his knees at Eddie’s feet without a word.

Eddie froze, mouth hanging open until Steve reached for the waistband of his sweats and began to work them down his body. He returned to life enough to lift his hips off the bed so Steve could pull the pants the rest of the way off.

Starting at his ankles, Steve caressed his hands slowly up Eddie’s pale legs, lightly kneading his calves, and brushing over the soft fine hairs of his thighs before gently pushing them apart. Eddie’s cock stood out, thick and already so hard for him, glistening where he leaked at the tip.

With one last look into Eddie’s eyes to make sure he wanted this, and by the wrecked expression on his face he definitely did, Steve leaned in, pressing a kiss to the head of Eddie’s cock before licking into the slit.

An unexpected moan crossed Steve’s lips as he caught a bead of precum on his tongue. Heat pooled in his belly, and he had to resist reaching down to touch himself as he opened wide to take Eddie fully into his mouth.

Steve bobbed his head slowly, getting a feel for the way the weight felt on his tongue, the way it filled his mouth, taking special care to make sure he kept his teeth safely out of the way.

It was so different to going down on girls, something Steve had always enjoyed, but not bad different. Not bad at all. He loved the velvety feel of Eddie’s shaft, how it glided past his lips so easily when it was slick with spit, and the way he quickly got lost in it all. No thoughts, just overwhelming sensation and focus on making his partner feel good.

Eddie was going wild above him, shaking and letting out a non-stop string of wordless curses and moans. It made Steve preen, feeling bold enough to try and take his cock deeper, faster, until he got too cocky, accidentally choking himself just a little.

He recovered quickly but suddenly Eddie’s hand was in his hair, tugging him off.

“Why did you make me stop?” Steve asked, leaning against Eddie’s thigh, panting as he caught his breath.

“I… I want—” Eddie hesitated, his own chest heaving like he’d been running a marathon.

“Whatever it is, Eddie. It’s yours,” Steve promised, meaning it so goddamn much that it hurt.

“I want you to fuck me.”

Steve very nearly blacked out for a second, already imagining Eddie sprawled on his back, his hair splayed out around him, how good it would feel to push inside.

“Please?” Eddie spoke again, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth.

As if he needed to beg for something like that.

Steve groaned, pushing himself to unsteady feet, all the blood in his body decidedly not going to his head. “I'm the one who should be saying please,” he said, pressing a kiss to Eddie’s cheek.

“You have lube, condoms?” Eddie asked, laying himself back on the bed.

Steve was already a step ahead of him, climbing over his bed to the far side so he could reach into his nightstand. Sure he’d never had sex with another guy before but apart from needing a bit more prep, or so he assumed, the mechanics of it were simple and familiar enough.

Watching quietly, Eddie’s eager eyes followed his every move as Steve brought the small bottle and foil packet over, slicking up his fingers. Eddie pulled his knees up, spreading his legs to reveal his tight hole and Steve wasted no time reaching out to press the first digit in.

Eddie writhed as Steve worked the finger deeper and deeper with each pass. He listened carefully to Eddie’s body, letting it be his guide for when he could move more or add another finger, until he was three deep, stretching Eddie as quickly and carefully as he dared.

“I’m ready,” Eddie gasped, working his hips, fucking himself down on Steve’s hand as he let out breathy moans. “I need—I need more.”

“Fuck.” Steve could have watched him like this for hours and never be bored but Eddie wanted him, needed him, and his own arousal was starting to become too insistent to ignore. Gently, he pulled his fingers out, running a soothing hand down Eddie’s thigh when he whined at the loss.

“I’ve got you, I promise,” he said, finally tearing into the foil packet and rolling the condom on himself.

Eddie’s legs were already shaking as Steve lined himself up, and he hooked an arm under his knee helping to hold it up as he began to push inside Eddie’s tight heat.

The feel of it was so overwhelming it took all of Steve’s will not to thrust hard and fast. He didn’t want this to be over before it’d be begun, and he didn’t want to hurt Eddie but the way he was clenching down on him and the needy sounds that spilled from his lips with every inch he took made it so hard for Steve to hold back.

“Fuuuck,” Eddie cried out, unrestrained when Steve finally bottomed out. And when he felt like he could do it without coming instantly Steve finally started to move.

“So good, Steve” Eddie rasped out between cries of pleasure. “Making me feel so good, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart.

The pet-name set Steve’s blood on fire and he hiked Eddie's leg up higher, bending him a little in half so he could lean down and capture Eddie’s lips in a brief, messy, open-mouthed kiss, never slowing his thrusts.

In no time, Eddie’s moans became more and more constant, near frantic sounding with each snap of Steve’s hips.

“What do you need?” Steve asked, voice husky as he crept closer to his own peak.

“Touch me,” Eddie called out, breathlessly. “Please—please touch me.”

Steve did just that, spitting into his palm before taking Eddie in hand, stroking him in time with his thrust as he felt his own orgasm building.

They came together. Eddie spilling over Steve’s fist, while Steve pulsed deep inside Eddie’s body, whispering Eddie’s name like a prayer as he did.

They laid tangled together for a long time after, Eddie’s cum spreading between them into a sticky mess that neither seemed to mind, but eventually Steve forced himself to get up. He took a quick trip to the bathroom, disposing of the condom in the trash and wetting a rag in the sink.

When they were both cleaned off, Steve collapsed to the bed, exhaustion—mental, physical, and everything in between already beginning to pull him under. He barely managed to roll over on his side, reaching back to pull Eddie’s arm around his waist, before falling into a deep sleep.

Steve woke to an empty bed.

He shouldn’t have been as surprised as he was, but even knowing that didn’t stop his stomach from dropping or his heart from racing.

Eddie’s side of the bed was cold. Though it was obvious he’d been gone a while Steve still leapt up in a panic, shoving his legs into the first pair of shorts he could get his hands on and racing into the other room—Eddie’s room.

Empty.

Empty of everything that had made it Eddie’s. No more notebooks and cassette tapes strewn all over the dresser, no clothes littering the floor. He’d even made up the bed. If the sight wasn't so heart-shatteringly painful, Steve might have been impressed that Eddie had managed it all without waking him. The only sign that he’d even been there at all was the lingering smell of cigarettes and old spice.

Predictably, Eddie’s van was gone.

Steve sat down on his front step and dropped his head into his hands.

After everything he’d overheard last night, he should have known this would happen, but as dumb as it sounded he’d still had hope that maybe things would be different this morning.

Why—because the sex had been good? Because it had felt less like fucking and more like making love?

God, he was pathetic.

It didn’t matter that every kiss had felt like a promise and each moan had sounded like ‘I want you, I need you,’ when really all Eddie had been trying to say was goodbye.

Distantly he heard the sound of bike tires crunching over grass, the chain rattling as it fell, then a pair of red converse sneakers came into view.

“Oh, Steve,” Robin said, crouching down in front of him, resting her head against his for a moment.

“How did you know?” He asked without looking up.

“Wayne called me.”

Steve groaned, rubbing at his face before finally raising it. He’d given Wayne her number a while back just in case. This wasn’t exactly what he’d had in mind at the time but he supposed he should be grateful.

“He said he didn’t know what happened,” she added. “Except that Eddie had come home in the middle of the night and I should check on you… Do you wanna talk about it?”

Steve blew out a long breath. “Not really, but let’s go inside and I'll tell you anyway.”

Chapter 9

Thanks and love to @penny00dreadful and @pearynice for all your help and encouragement with this!

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#steddie fanfic #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #caught in the undertow #happy ending #sad with a happy ending #angst with a happy ending #hurt/comfort #steddie fic #steve harrington/eddie munson #steve x eddie #steddie

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swarvey · 8 months ago

Text

paper rings | harvey x f!reader

summary -> you decide to surprise harvey with a belated birthday gift; harvey tries to fight off some unwelcome thoughts. warnings -> none! harvey just has some horny thoughts. wc -> 3357

a/n: surprise, an update!!

i loved writing this chapter. i actually feel like this song could have fit well as this story's title as well!! very excited for the upcoming chapters, though i am a little sad to think this will eventually have to end </3

well, either way, hope you enjoy ! <333 seeing y'all comment and stuff honestly is so heartwarming, so thank you all!!!

ch. 10 | ch. 11 | ch. 12

paper rings masterlist

chapter eleven: state of grace -> "this is the golden age of something good and right and real."

Your eyes opened to the warmth of sunlight flowing through your window, a relaxed breath escaping you. A pleasant smile settled on your face as you sat up, rubbing your eyes and remembering the words Harvey had confessed to you the previous night.

I love you.

For a split second, you wondered if you dreamt it all, if it’d all been too good to be true.

Then, you saw that the bouquet was still missing from its usual spot on your wall, and you knew it had all been real.

You grinned, sitting up with a renewed energy. Finally, you were able to wrench out the phrase you craved to hear from your best friend. Despite the efforts — and pain — it took to get there, you still managed to do it, which, in your eyes, was all that really mattered.

You recalled the insecurities Harvey had spilled to you; more so, how he felt he didn’t deserve you. Out of everything that happened, those words hurt by far the most. You saw the torn, broken look in his eyes, knowing him well enough to see past it and realize his wounds weren’t fresh. You didn’t even want to know how long his horrid thoughts had stewed in his head. Probably way too long. What a terrible way to spend his birthday.

Then, an idea struck you — one that you knew would take the majority of the day and your best efforts, but you felt in your heart it would all be worth it to see his face light up. Besides, Harvey had never hesitated in the past to put you at the top of his list of priorities.

You figured it was time to give back.

“Forgive me.”

“Elliott, please—”

“I know,” the overly dramatic poet choked out, grasping Harvey’s hand with both of his as if his life depended on it. “It’s terrible of me to ask you this, I know, but please, forgive me for the trouble I caused, my friend. I just . . .” Elliott looked up at the doctor, his bottom lip trembling and eyes filled with guilt. “I just couldn’t stand the feeling of lying to Leah, and I knew she had no ill intentions, either, but— oh, I know it’s no excuse for what I did!”

After his birthday, Harvey decided it was finally time to reconnect with his two supportive friends, shooting them both quick texts to meet him at the Stardrop the following evening. He roughly explained everything that happened with you, not forgetting to mention the stinging silence he initially left you with. Elliott’s face dropped when he got to the part where you told him you knew about everything, how Leah had taken the big step to be the one to tell you. Fortunately, his friends were as understanding as ever, more happy than anything that he got the chance to reconcile with you.

Unfortunately, Elliott decided the guilt weighing on his shoulders could only be lifted by apologizing for nearly twenty minutes straight.

“And here I thought my life couldn’t get any worse,” Shane gruffed, only half joking. He proceeded to roll his eyes so hard Harvey worried he would hurt himself. “Fuckin’ hell, just forgive him already, would ya, doc? I can’t stand this anymore.”

Harvey scratched the back of his neck before placing his free hand on Elliott’s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. “It’s fine, Elliott, I promise,” he replied, unable to keep the amusement out of his tone. “It’s my fault for not telling her, after all. Besides, it all worked out, anyhow.”

“A-are you certain?” He leaned forward, nearly toppling over his seat onto the Stardrop’s floor. “How can you be so kind? It’s truly inspiring, doctor, you must let me buy you a meal for your generosity!”

“With what money, pal?”

Elliott fell back into his seat with a huff, managing a glare at his friend before sipping his drink. “With the money I made from selling my first novel, thank you oh-so very much.”

Harvey blinked in surprise, while Shane gawked at him. “Are you being serious?”

Elliott’s chest puffed up in pride. “Completely. Of course, my first patron was Leah, but I’m planning on having a live book reading at the library soon!” Harvey smiled warmly at the sight of his friend’s joyful expression, proud to see his hard work come to fruition.

Then, Shane frowned slightly and shifted in his seat. “What, so you didn’t even bother to ask me for one? C’mon, the least you could do after buggin’ me about this damn book for nearly a year is offer me a copy. Geez.”

A pause. “You . . . actually want one?”

“Yeah, yeah, save the sap, it’ll make me barf.” He paused. “It’s kid-friendly, right? I’ll get two, give one to Jas. Maybe one for Vincent, too, fuck it.”

Harvey could only laugh as he watched Elliott pull Shane into an unreciprocated hug, his eyes gleaming with grateful tears and he tightly wrapped his arms around him. Despite his loud, profanity-filled protests, there was a light in Shane’s gaze that hadn’t been there a couple seasons ago. After promising to see the therapist Harvey recommended to him, he’d slowly begun to make progress, even deciding to replace his usual beer at the saloon with a glass of pop instead.

“Alright, enough!” Shane finally regained his stance in his seat, running a hand through his ruffled hair. He mumbled something neither of them could hear, but Elliott beamed nonetheless.

“I hope you’ll save me one, Elliott,” Harvey said sincerely. “Though, by the looks of it, you might have quite the fan already.”

“Shut it, doc.”

Elliott let out a hearty laugh and gestured to Emily for an order. “Well then, my dear doctor, you must emphasize on your reunion with your lover,” he pressed on, looking at him eagerly, “but not before I order you a promised meal.”

“What’ll it be, gentlemen?” Emily asked as she wandered over, looking at the three with a bright smile. Her gaze stopped at Harvey. “Hey, what a nice surprise! I haven’t seen you here in a bit. I hope you’re doing alright, people have been saying they haven’t seen much of you lately.”

He cleared his throat, nodding. “There were a few . . . things, I had to deal with, but it’s all cleared up now.”

She hummed, but something about her look was a little too knowing. “Well, that’s all that matters, right? As long as you’re okay.” She leaned in a little then, close enough so she could whisper in his ear. “Haley’s just about ready to murder you, though. Thought I should give you a heads up.”

She smiled sympathetically when Harvey groaned, covering his face with his hands. He didn’t even bother to hear what Elliott ordered him and focused on the fact that one of your closest friends in town was probably plotting his murder.

“Everyone knows, don’t they?” he asked, voice muffled. He lowered his hands to see Shane hiding his smirk with his drink while Elliott sighed.

“I wish I could tell you otherwise, but yes,” the writer responded promptly. “I wouldn’t fear too much, though, especially if the two of you are on good terms! I’m sure she’ll clear the air.”

The door to the saloon opened, and — as if your mentioning had summoned you — you walked in wearing your work clothes, dirt and grass stains covering the front of your overalls. Your eyes met his immediately, and Harvey instantly looked away, feeling as if he had just seen his crush in the hallway. You tended to have that effect on him.

After the two of you shared a kiss the night before, he insisted on walking you home, tightly holding your hand the entire way. He was visibly reluctant to leave your side, allowing himself to, for once, be as clingy as he felt. When the two of you reached your front porch, he’d grabbed your hips and drew you closer to his body, looking at you with nothing but pure adoration.

“We have a long way to go, don’t we?” he asked softly, bringing a hand up to caress your cheek.

You hummed in agreement, turning slightly to kiss his palm. “Good thing we’ve got all the time in the world, right?” Your eyes seemed to glitter when he looked at you, his breath faltering.

Harvey didn’t know why your words made him feel the way he did — then again, he couldn’t explain a lot of things he felt when it came to you — but in that moment, a wave of gratefulness washed over him, and he couldn’t help but pull you in for another gentle kiss. He thought back to what you had told him all those years ago, how he had good karma, and he decided you might have been right after all. There was no other explanation as to why you were still in his arms after all the trouble he caused.

“You truly are my weakness,” he blurted suddenly. “My vulnerability, the crack in my defense. I think I would do anything for you.”

You laughed at his words, and the sound made his heart race. “You’ve been hanging out with Elliott too much.” You paused then, leaning in closer to his ear. “Is that a promise, Harvs? Anything?”

He shivered, swallowing hard. “Of course.”

Just when he thought he’d earned another taste of your lips — a rougher one maybe, one that led to your bedroom — you pulled away, sporting a mischievous half-smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” you chirped happily. “Goodnight!”

Harvey let out another groan at the thought, trying to ignore the stir in his pants. We’ll take it slow, he reminded himself, not even noticing your figure appearing beside him. We have all the time in the world.

“Earth to Harvey, hello?” you sang, waving a hand in front of his face. “You there? Or is nobody home?”

He scowled as his friends stifled their laughter, though managed a smile when he turned to greet you. “Hello,” he sighed, pushing his glasses up. “Ignore them, please. I’m not sure why I associate with them.”

“Hey, a ‘thank you’ would be nice, buddy,” Shane said, voice dripping in leftover humor. “We’re the ones who’ve listened to all your little love-sick rants.”

You perked a brow. “Love-sick, huh?”

“Let’s go for a walk, shall we?” Harvey desperately suggested, taking out his wallet and throwing some coins on the table for his drinks. “I’ll talk to you two later. And, thank you,” he rushedly added. As he grabbed your hand and practically dragged you out of the saloon, he missed their lopsided grins at his words.

Harvey let out a long breath as he stepped outside, resting his hands on his hips. “I felt like I was suffocating in there,” he admitted, finding your hand once again.

You snorted. “Looked like it,” you replied, lacing your fingers with his. “I was looking for you, anyway. Did you get my text?”

He blinked, grabbing his phone out of his pocket with his other hand to find one unread message from you.

Y/N : you at the saloon? i’ve got a surprise for you

“A surprise?” he wondered aloud. “For me?”

“Yes, Harvey, that’s what I said.” You smiled at his embarrassed frown, leading him through the plaza toward the clinic. “C’mon, I’ve been working on it all day!”

Just as he was about to question you further, a figure with long blonde hair and a blue tank top marched in front of him, successfully cutting off his hold on you.

“Don’t think I’ll forgive you as easily,” Haley snapped, and Harvey flinched at her furious tone. “You’re a real lucky guy, you know that, right? ‘Cause if I were her, I would have taken those glasses and shoved ‘em right up your—”

“Haley! There you are,” Leah laughed awkwardly as she grabbed the blonde’s arm, attempting to tug her away. “We’re going to miss the movie, dear. Let’s go.” She turned to Harvey, and he was glad to be met with much kinder eyes. “I’m glad you’re alright, Harvey. We’ll see you around.” Leah’s eyes lit up. “Oh, and happy birthday! Even though it’s a day late.”

“Thank you,” he responded, anxiously glancing at Haley. A pout rested on her lips as her partner nudged her.

“Yeah, whatever, happy birthday, I guess,” she mumbled, and you laughed at her reaction. Her expression lightened after that, the ends of her mouth lifting slightly. “I expect a call later, okay?”

“Will do.” You waved at the couple as they walked away, grabbing Harvey’s arm and continuing to lead him. “She’s pretty mad, if you couldn’t tell.”

“Really?” he asked dryly, fiddling with his tie. “I thought she seemed quite happy to see me.” You rolled your eyes, excitedly bringing him up the stairs to the fountain. “What is it, exactly?”

“What’s, what?”

“The surprise.”

You huffed, walking past the fountain. “Well, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you, would it?”

“I . . . suppose not, no.”

“Then be patient, we’re almost there.”

You only stopped when the two of you reached the Community Center, two birds chirping curiously down at your arrival. Harvey examined the building, noticing how, despite it looking as beat up as it usually did, it felt more welcoming.

Before he could continue, you swiftly snatched his glasses off his face, covering his eyes with your hands.

“What—”

“Just go with it, Harvs, please? ”

The pleading tone of your request nearly sent him spiraling. Nearly.

Take it slow.

He nodded, swallowing thickly once again. You’re going to be the death of me, he thought. He almost voiced it to you the door opened, but was interrupted before he got the chance.

“I felt a little bad yesterday night,” you admitted, leading him somewhere unknown. “With everything going on between us, it was hard to plan something for your birthday.”

He sighed, a pang of guilt running through his chest. “Now, you know none of that is—”

“It doesn’t matter,” you interrupted. “It’s over now, and we’re . . . good. Better than good, I think.” Harvey smiled, wishing he could see your face. “And, even though it’s not really your birthday anymore, I still wanted to give you something better than a dried bouquet.”

“That bouquet means much more to me than you think. It’s all I need, really,” he said softly, then willed himself to say his next words. “You’re all I need.”

“And you’re being a big ‘ol softie.”

Suddenly, he felt your hands drop, slowly blinking his eyes open. Of course, at first, all he could make out were blurbs of green and white.

“Um—” Although he couldn’t see, Harvey could practically hear you roll your eyes as you passed him his glasses.

“Surprise.”

He couldn’t believe it.

In front of him was a completely refurbished room in the Community Center, the walls smooth and the flooring void of any faults. That, in itself, was impressive to him.

The room wasn’t exactly what caught his eye, though.

No, what caught Harvey’s attention was the various model planes scattered across the room, along with the small workbench in the corner.

“I had to go into the city to find those, it took me all day,” you explained, trying to read his reaction. His mouth remained parted as he walked around, taking his time to take in everything. “This is meant to be the Crafts Room. Mayor Lewis asked me to fix this place up a while ago, and that’s where I met the Junimos. Thought I’d add my own touch, though.”

Harvey nodded absentmindedly. He couldn’t bring himself to speak. Quite frankly, he was in shock, unable to believe what you had done for him. His gaze only pried away when a familiar squeak sounded beneath him. He smiled as Blueberry hugged his foot.

The spirit looked at him expectedly, as if asking, Do you like it?

“It’s—” He stopped then, finally turning to face you. Warm tears filled Harvey’s eyes as he stepped forward and engulfed you in his arms, burying your face in his neck. “It’s more than I could have ever asked for. Thank you.”

He felt you slump in relief, gladly wrapping your arms around him. “I’m glad you like it,” you breathed, pulling back to see his face. “You had me worried there for a second. I thought it was too much.”

“No, this is perfect.” Harvey laughed, bright and unlike he’d ever laughed before, and kissed you. “I can’t even find the words to explain how I feel.”

You grinned. “Maybe ‘happy’ could give you a good start.”

“No, that’s too big of an understatement.”

“Hm. ‘Joyous,’ then?”

“I believe those are synonyms, honey.”

You blinked, a blush creeping up your neck. Harvey didn’t notice, too busy walking over to the desk that seemed made for him. Blueberry poked your ankle, and you took it as a sign to stick out your hand. The Junimo happily walked up your arm, settling down on your shoulder and closing its eyes.

“This . . . this looks just like the one I had in my grandparents’ house as a kid,” he realized, eyes widening.

“You used to spend so much time sitting there, working on your planes, ignoring me,” you added playfully. “If you ever get bored, you can come here, now. Add to your collection. You can show them off to everyone, too, after I finish rebuilding everything.”

He flushed at that, turning to meet your eyes. “No, I couldn’t, i-it’s too embarrassing—”

“Harvey. If this —” You swept your arm around the room. “—is what you enjoy, you shouldn’t hide it. It’s an important part of you, and I know everyone in town would be impressed.” You gently tugged at his hand, holding it strongly in your own. “Plus, I find it very endearing, you know.”

He raised a brow, grabbing your other hand. “Really? Building model airplanes is something you look for in a partner?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Harvey shook his head, tilting it as he studied your gaze. “This is still so surreal,” he muttered, glancing down at your interlaced fingers. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

You nodded, then smiled. “You know, I never would have guessed this.” You lifted your hands slightly, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “Now that it’s real, though, I’m not sure I’ll ever let you go.”

Harvey’s heart was just about ready to leap from his chest.

“You won’t ever have to,” he vowed. “Never again.”

“That’s a big promise.”

“It’s one I’m willing to make.”

“When did you get so bold?”

“When you became mine.”

Your eyes narrowed, flicking between his eyes and lips. “Is that what I am?” you questioned, voice light and innocent. “Yours?”

Slow, Harvey. You said you would take it slow.

He feigned a cough, looking away. “That’s what the bouquet meant, right?” he asked, raising one hand to swipe his mustache. “It means we’re official.”

The look you gave him was teasing, dangerous, but you covered it up with a laugh, starting to walk with him back towards the door. Blueberry had disappeared from your shoulder at some point; Harvey guessed even spirits grew tired of couples dancing around each other.

“Come on. Let’s go home.”

“‘Home’?”

You looked back at him, huffing. “We’re official, right? That means you get to help me finish up the chores for the day.”

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

Chores. He could do chores. He’d done plenty of chores with you before, when the ache in your grandfather’s back became too much and he needed a couple extra pair of hands. Chores would be good for him, Harvey thought. They would keep his mind off the uncomfortable tightness in his pants that’d been taunting him for hours, keep his dirty thoughts at bay, hopefully even keep some distance between the two of you, just for a little. Just until he could calm himself down and remind himself he was supposed to be going slow.

“You can spend the night, too.”

His face fell.

I’m screwed.

124 notes · View notes

angelkhi · 2 years ago

Text

kiss it better - j.m

pairing: dilf!joel miller x babysitter!reader

summary: turns out joel is trained in first aid, among other things.

warnings: SMUT (18+ Minors DNI) oral (f), fingering, masturbation (m), age gap, creampie but not technically p in v, cumplay i guess, squirting? cum eating/swapping(???), praise, an inkling of overstimulation, hair pulling, needy joel, some dirty talk / bad language, nicknames: dove, pretty girl, sweet girl, idk just some down right dirty shit with some feeling, mentions of injury (a scraped knee and elbow), age gap, slight hurt comfort, grumpy bucky, kinda sweet ending. very sorry if i missed anything!

word count: 2.4 k

a little note: hi! this shit is nasty soz xx i wrote this for bucky but changed it to pre-outbreak joel cause yeah, also not proofread cause i don’t like reading my own shit, and sarah is like 5 in this, also if u know me no you don’t, okay love ya x likes and reblogs appreciated 🫶🏾

"You, kitchen. I'll be down in 10."

You'd listened of course, planting yourself on the kitchen counter and awaiting his return, but those 7 simple words left you fidgeting for the entire 10 minutes he was gone.

Joel walks into the room without a word, puts the bright red first aid box on the counter next to you and pulls up a stool. You can't help but watch his fluid movements, admiring his grace and precision even in the smallest of movements. All of them are deliberate, calculated.

"This is gonna sting a bit." He rips open an alcohol wipe, sliding a hand behind your knee to keep you in place. "Deep breath for me."

"Joel, I can sort it myself- mother fucker!" You start to protest but he presses the wipe against your broken skin, the sting unexpected despite his prior warning.

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Joel smirks, wiping over your knee once more, his fingers digging into your flesh when you try to pull away from him. "Keep still."

"I told you I'd sort it." You mumble.

"Stop being so proud for 10 minutes. Let me help you."

"But..."

He sighs, finally looking up at you. You're not sure if it's the intensity of his stare, or the fact that he's hunched over you, touching you so gently, as though a scraped knee just might break you, but that sigh defeats you.

"Okay."

Silence falls over you again and you continue to watch him work, smiling when he fiddles with small bandage and adds a princess sticker for good measure.

"I'm sorry about earlier. Didn't mean for such a dramatic entrance but you know Sarah, she's..."

"Stubborn and bossy."

"I was going to say strong minded and competitive. Like her father." His brow quirks subtly, but you pretend not to notice it.

"So... stubborn and bossy." Joel smiles, still completely focused on bandaging your knee, "There you go, all patched up."

You nod, unsure of what to say all of a sudden. Joel fills the silence.

"I've missed you." Three simple words, that probably would've had little effect on you if they hadn't come from him.

"You saw me yesterday Joel."

"You know that's not what I mean dove." He glances up at you, just for a second, but a second is all he needs to know you understand. Of course you understand. You've spent the better part of a year trying not to miss him.

"Always so proud. It's okay to let people help you."

"My pride took quite the hit today thank you very much, your kid is way too good at tag." Joel chuckles, and your bruised pride heals a little, knowing that you had made him laugh. The way that his eyes crinkle and his nose scrunches, the almost giggle. You want to commit it to memory. To keep them it your pocket safe and tight for when you needed it. Even as his soft eyes bore into your own, silently demanding an answer to his statement.

"Thank you, Doctor Miller. I'd better be going." It's cowardly, barely even a whisper, almost drowned out by the low hum of the fridge.

But you don't move though and nether does he. Joel smooths the bandage over your knee, his lingering thumb quickly replaced by his soft lips. Joel gazes up at you as he rose from his knees, his hands sliding up your legs with each fluid movement. His hands move on their own accord, across your thighs, skimming your hips and waist, moving up and up until he's cradling your jaw.

"I wanna keep you in just a little while longer for observations, doctors orders" You lean into his touch, hyper aware of how close the pair of you suddenly are.

"Hmm. Okay Doctor Miller, any other remedies... since you insist." You're breathless, the air in the room seeming none existent as you bend to his will.

"I can think of one."

He bunches your skirt up around your waist in one swift motion, urging you to lay back against the cool marble countertop. His lips are full and warm against your skin, lingering on the inside of your knee, his fingers holed in the side of your panties, dragging them ever so slowly down your thighs. Joel's every movement is slow and deliberate, as though he's trying to savour each and every part of the moment.

"Such a pretty cunt." A small burst of cool air against your exposed pussy pushes you closer to the edge of desperation. Joel's hair tickles your inner thighs, his soft shirt brushing the back of your knee

"Tell me you missed me." He's so close to where you need him, practically dangling himself on a string. "Tell me how much you missed me touching you like this."

Joel finally touches you, his thumb circling your hole, watching you clench around nothing desperately spread out on his kitchen counter willing to take anything he'll give you.

"Missed you, Joel. So much." He hums, pride seeping out of his pores, dark eyes flickering when you say his name.

"Fuckin my hand to the thought of you was torture dove. Nothin compares to this perfect little thing." His lips purse and a small burst of cool air brushes over your clit. You grow more and more desperate the closer he gets, you're practically offering yourself up on a silver platter and he chooses now to take his sweet time?

Your fingers thread through his shaggy locks, prompting him to do something or you'll do it yourself. Joel' laugh is quick and breathless, his eyes slipping shut when you lightly scratch at his scalp.

He leans forward, tongue dragging from your entrance to your throbbing clit. Your fingers tighten in his hair and he groans pulling back to speak.

"Just as sweet as I remember." He takes another moment, then his head is between your thighs.

You're not sure if it's been hours or minutes but Joel's head is still buried between your thighs, lapping at your clit and weeping hole like a starved man. Every time you think he'll give you some sort of a reprise, he just gives you more. Fucking an extra finger into you each time he comes up for breath, or simply just toying with your clit, enjoying the way you respond so diligently to his every touch.

Your hands find the edge of the counter out of sheer desperation, too scared you'll pull at his hair too harshly in this marathon of touching, that is at least until Joel's movements stop abruptly, his head lifting from between your.

"Joel, are you okay?" His large hands wrap around your wrists, prying your hands off of the marble and back into his soft hair.

"Don't stop-" he presses a sweet kiss to your thigh "-feels so fuckin' good."

He wastes no time getting back between your thighs, bringing you back to that ledge he'd left you on. The soft point of his nose brushes against your clit, your hands grasping his hair with fervour. Joel's moan is low and deep, vibrating from his lips right to your open cunt. The knowledge that you're giving him just a fraction of what he's giving you makes your chest swell, and you bet that if you had to energy to lift your head and look down on him, his trousers would be uncomfortably tight and his hips Joeling up at nothing.

He curls his fingers, hooking them perfectly against where you need him, his hand moving at an unnatural pace. You try to stay quiet so not to wake the little girl asleep upstairs, but you're being torn apart from the inside out and Joel's muffled sounds do nothing but spur you on. Once his lips pucker against your clit and his fingers rest on that perfect spot, you're finished. Torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer, you simply just let it happen, let him coax your body through a perfect orgasm until you have no choice but to push the gluttonous man away.

"So fuckin' pretty. Look at ya, all mine." He's breathless, supporting your now upright frame between his muscular arm and chest. He presses his soft lips to yours, and it's a mess of nipping and sucking. His tongue brushes up against yours slowly and deeply, the taste of your own orgasm lingering on your lips.

"Just one more. Gimme one more yeah? So fucking good for me dove." You nod, something between a hoarse sigh and a whimper when he asks for verbal confirmation. He slides two long fingers back into you with ease, right back with that bruising pace, watching with dark eyes as you grind your clit on the ball of his palm.

"That's it, I've got you sweet girl. Give it to me." Joel's efficient when he works your body. He enjoys how you clench around his fingers when your orgasm builds, or how your swollen clit respond so well to his touch. He likes it when you push your fingers into his broad shoulders, anchoring yourself to him. He fucking loves it when you muffle the high pitched scream in his shoulder, teeth digging into his skin slightly as you release over his hand.

Dark grey spots linger on the cotton of his joggers from where you'd gushed all over him, but he doesn't care. Joel cradles your face, taking you in, his own little slice of heaven on earth. His.

Your nimble fingers tug the waistband of his joggers until they're just low enough to release him from their confines. His fingers brush over yours, moulding them against him, guiding you to palm his cock in a tight fist. Joel's concentrated gaze flickers between your glistening thighs, your pretty eyes, your half parted lips, your wet pussy spread out just for him. He's frantic, chasing pleasure from your white knuckled fists.

You slip your hand free, tracing over the stubble on his chin, fingers trailing around the back of his neck, until they're locked in his hair again. Your grip is rough when you tip his head back slightly, and he shudders against you, hips chasing his fist.

You relinquish in the small amount of power, the new feeling sending a rush down your spine. His lips rest against yours, his soft noises brushing against your skin.

"You gonna let me make a mess of this cunt, huh? Gonna let me come all on your pretty pussy."

"Joel please."

"Fuck. You're too good to me." He's whining for you. Fucking whining, and it's all because of you. Joel's hips stutter and thrust into his hand, the thick head of his cock bumping against your sensitive nub, extracting every last ounce of pleasure from your already spent body.

"Joel, come inside of me. Please Joel, you're always so good to me, let me be good for you." His hips slow as he takes in your words, your hands on him. He works himself over with his fist once more before he grips himself at his thick base pressing himself against your sensitive clit once again. He slides himself down, down, until the head of his dick is pressed against your waiting hole.

The familiar stretch of him pushing into you has you whimpering, still so sensitive. Joel's breath stutters and his hands grip your hips as he fucks his tip into you. His thrusts are quick and shallow as he gets himself off and you're muttering against his lips how good he feels, how pretty he looks, how much you love it when he takes what he needs. You scratch at his scalp, and grip his hair that little bit tighter and he's keening over, pressing his lips to yours. His eyes squeeze shut and he whines into your mouth as he pumps himself empty inside of you.

He works swiftly, removing himself from your warmth, sliding you to the edge of the counter and falling to his knees.

"Fuckin perfect." He mutters to himself, watching as his spend leaks out of you, fingers toying with the mess he made. He drags his soft wet tongue against you, once, twice, slipping into your used cunt until you're clawing him away beyond over-sensitive.

But then he's up, and in front of you and you're reading and waiting knowing what he's about to give you and you're willing to accept it. He kisses you, the mixture of your slick and his come on his tongue. You take it, the debauchery act pushing you so far past the point of desire. His fingers still move against you, still playing with your clenching cunt until you're seeing stars.

"Joel, too much."

"M'sorry dove." He says, pulling his fingers away from you and sucking them into his mouth.

He moves quickly, reaching for a cloth and some of his pyjama pants from the washing pile on the dining table. He's careful when he runs it over your thighs and in between your legs, holds you carefully when he helps you down from the counter and slips you into the sleep trousers that are far too big. He's soft and warm and careful and everything in between when he holds you against his chest.

"Joel..." He hums. "I don't want to miss you anymore."

You pull away to look up at him, terrified that you'd misread the situation, that your cloudy brain and lingering crush on the father next door has made you overstep the mark.

"Don't wanna miss you either dove." His lips brush yours.

He seems nervous, it's beyond sweet, but you'd never felt so light, so relieved. "Stay?"

"What about Sarah?"

"Please, she's been begging me to date you for months." Oh.

"And what do you want?" His soft thumbs stroke your lips whilst he holds your gaze, soft yet demanding.

"I wanna take you out to dinner. Want you next to me when I wake up in the mornings. I want you to sit on my face til your crying. Wanna give you everything you want, no matter how ridiculous, I just want you, if you'll let me." Oh. Big oh. You pull him close, resting a hand over his quick beating heart, worried it just might give out.

"You already have me."

He flashes a toothy grin, his blue eyes sparkling even in a dimly lit room. He kisses you slow and sweet, pouring every ounce of care an affection into your lips making it certain. You absolutely already have him too.

#joel tlou #joel miller #joel miller x reader #pre outbreak!joel #tlou #the last of us hbo #the last of us smut #dilf!joel #joel miller smut #tlou smut #smut

750 notes · View notes

by-speaker · 4 months ago

Text

Teasing/Banter (ENG. VER)

Philza was clearly going insane. He didn't want to think about the god following him up and down. Denying any mention of the god, or any ‘gifts’ the god left in his things.

But Missa seemed to enjoy every second of it, Philza seemed to hear the god's restrained laughter whenever he found a flower, a note, a shiny stone or a feather, almost as if Missa was toying with him.

Philza crumpled up another note he had found in his backpack, “Very funny, Missa, very funny.” He mumbled through his teeth.

“What's funny?” Rose asked, watching as her son struggled alone with his backpack, “Everything alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, everything's fine,” Phil said putting on his backpack, “Fit put one of those stupid little notes he likes to put on my backpack.”

Rose looked at him confused for a moment then shook her head slightly, taking a sip of her coffee, “I have a 12-hour shift today, are you going to be okay?”

Phil laughed, “I'm not 10 years old any more, Rose.”

The woman laughed too, “I know, I know, you're a big boy, but I can't help but worry about you, If your dad comes over to the house, will you call me? Won't you face him on your own? Promise me that.”

Philza smiled warmly at her mother, “Don't worry, Rose, I'm not going to do anything stupid.”

Rose looked at him a moment longer, with that mixture of concern and love that only a mother could show. “You better,” she said softly, before pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I know you're strong, but you don't have to carry everything alone.”

Philza nodded, though he knew that, in truth, there were many things he was already carrying alone, things he couldn't explain even to his mother. Missa's constant presence was one of them. “I promise, Mum.”

She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, but before she left, she turned one last time. “I love you, Phil. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“I love you too, Rose,” he replied, and watched as his mother disappeared out the door.

When he was finally alone, he let out a long sigh, letting the mask of calm he had worn throughout the conversation fade. He knew Missa was near. He felt it, as always, that almost tangible presence.

“Aren't you adorable?” Philza rolled his eyes, of course Missa was going to be here, ‘What are you doing?’

“I'm trying to make my breakfast,’ Phil replied, mashing an avocado for his toast, ’Which is proving rather difficult having a stalker god watching me, don't you have divine duties to attend to?’

“Hmm,” Missa said, pretending to be thinking, “no, nothing more interesting, nothing would ever be more interesting than you.”

Philza snorted, he knew the god was just teasing him, “I've told you a million times, I'm nothing special.”

“Nothing special?” Missa appeared sitting on the kitchen counter, right next to Phil's avocado, “Are you telling me that any mortal can do…” With a dramatic gesture, he pointed to the toast Phil was preparing, “…such a perfectly mashed avocado?”

Phil didn't even look up. “Literally anyone can make this.”

“Oh, so anyone can see a god of death and just ignore him while he makes his breakfast?” Missa leaned closer, his grin growing wider and wider. “Anyone can find my gifts and simply crumple them up like they are propaganda papers?”

“Your ‘presents’ were in MY backpack,” Phil pointed the knife at the aforementioned object. “You know it's rude to rummage through other people's belongings?”

Missa gasped dramatically, holding a hand to her chest. “You're lecturing me on manners? Me? A millennial god?”

“Clearly, someone has to,” Phil muttered, spreading the avocado on his bread. “Thousands of years and you never learned to knock.”

“Doors are for mortals,” Missa waved his hand scornfully, but his mischievous grin did not diminish. “Besides, where would the fun be in that? I love watching you try to explain to people why you talk to yourself.”

Phil finally looked up, narrowing his eyes. “You know, for a god of death, you're surprisingly childish.”

“And for a mortal, you're surprisingly grumpy,” Missa countered, materializing a black feather and dropping it on Phil's toast. ’How about a little decoration for your breakfast?’

“Missa…”

“Yes, my dear favourite mortal?”

“You have three seconds to remove that feather from my breakfast before I start reciting prayers to other gods.”

Missa's laughter filled the kitchen as the feather disappeared into thin air. “See, this is why you're special, Phil. Not just anyone would threaten a god of death over breakfast.”

#qsmp #qsmp pissa #pissa #pissa nation #missasinfonia #speakerwriting #qsmp missa #deathduo #qsmp philza #qsmp fanfiction

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din0lover · 1 year ago

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Funny post of all the little "ghosties" talking moments in the captions

(It's ccbbh but also there might be some missing I did the best I could in trying to get it all lol enjoy!)

Signs of Pomme and Ramon

"Fudge I missed the sign"

"Maybe bad should stay dead a bit longer"

"Stress never killed anybody, except for the people it did"

"Isn't that cannibalism " (referring to pomme apple die comment)

Zinc cave

"Richas is going to die" (richas digging straight down)

" Oh Fudge not this one" (referring to cave they went into go collect zinc)

"This is limestone not zinc"

"Look how pretty"

"Let's go mine proceeds to mine limestone"

"These statements are now canonical ghosty thoughts"

"The block looks chewable" (referring to the limestone block)

"Canonical ghosty bathroom break"

"And canonically left alone" (after he got back from the bathroom break)

"There are going to be so mad at us when the eggs die" (after richas digs straight down deeper into the cave)

"Ghosties have bad hand eye coordination" (after falling in lava)

"50 zinc that's enough to make 1/10 of a drill"

"Free stuff"

"Lucy what are you doing over there"

"Later peasants I'm warping away, what the Fudge, that's crazy" (referring to richas warping out of the cave)

Leaving Zinc Cave

"All your stones belongs to me"

"Give me your stone I'm going to eat it all"

"Nom nom nom nom nom nom"

(ramon and pomme digging up out of the cave)

"Well this is the end for me I'm afraid"

"Should've taken those swimming lessons"

(Water bucket was placed down for a split second this guy is so dramatic LOL)

"You know, I'm holding sugar cane, it's magic, but why am I holding sugar cane? Is it a coincidence Or is there a higher meaning to it? Not even caption viewers will find out"

"Yep some of you realized all stream it was me reading the signs."

"Yep what you thought it was magic?, no I was reading them."

"The entire time thats where the captions come from."

"No way /j"

"The poor people without the captions right now."

That's it Ramon takes one call, I'm going to narrate their actions"

"Pomme looks around aimlessly "

"Ramon thinks I'm done cave mining it's probably best to leave"

"Pomme thinks Fudge dirt that means we're close to the surface but I hate digging through it."

"Don't worry we're good"

"Now it's off to do more adventuring"

"Sorry I'll stop being silly"

Finally out of the Zinc Cave

"You got this

You got this

You can do it"

"Freedom of fudge, worst ad time ever"

"Actually no we had some horribly timed ads."

"Dumbo, the moon, why did it translate it to that? I think there was a mistranslation chat."

"And pomme sacrifices Ramon to the squids" (Ramon fell out of the boat)

"Hey guys maybe we should take that zinc to Badboyhalo house instead"

Repairing the town of Fobo farm

Richas : "I mean I am not human I don't know, that works with tio dad and my dad's"

Ccbbh aka "ghosties" : "he's onto something "

"Huh bird"

"Nosy ghosties"

"Lucy Hi"

"So wholesome"

"3 minutes till restart"

"One minute before void"

"Toxic not the backup"

"The lore killer"

"Sometimes I still hear his voice" (referring to bbh it's almost like we can still hear him in the after life)

"There comes a day in every pet owners life" (referring to richas killing his caged amethyst crab)

"It is a good way to keep memories, if only bad was doing that." (That vile man he needs to be put in a panini press)

"I'm running out of sad music"

"Guys stop trolling the Chatters and telling them I died IRL"

"I can still hear his voice"

Group hug for all

"And it's a group hug"

"Get down here richas it's group hug time"

"Oh my gosh he is dying"

"Okay now he is good"

"Group hug richas, don't let him go up"

"Don't let him wiggle his way up there"

"He can't get away from The Angst train,there's a train and it's full angst"

"I love angst"

"I'm going to be honest this has been a very wholesome night but it is a lot of angst."

"Choo Choo"

Richas getting down again

"Crazy people oh my gosh"

"Gave me a heart attack right now"

"Oh my gosh they actually just trying to kill him in front of me"

"That's crazy"

"Where's you armor ?! He's not wearing armor!"

"Oh my gosh just let him die, finish him now"

"That be the worst time for a creeper to just slither its way and explode right next to them "

"Like actual nightmare fuel"

"You're going to give me a heart attack"

"He's going to die chat like if we don't see the death and no one else is online it doesn't really happen."

"It's like a tree that falls in the forest, and no one around here it doesn't make a noise."

"Pretty sure that's how it works chat mathematically "

Slight BBH love <3<3

- "I'm sorry chat thus has been a long stream, I'm trying to keep myself chucking along, I'm enjoying it but it is a long stream."

"Two really long streams in a row"

(Peace and love ccbbh thanks for the long streams with the eggs and other memes <3<3)

Back to richas and his vendetta against group hugs

"Rebel Richas, no hugs, hugs are for the weak"

"Oh my gosh they're going to actually kill him, I need to make sure to look away before he dies"

*looks away*

"There we go"

"If I dont see the death it doesn't count"

"This is like a slightly unhinged nature documentary "

"Bros really going to fall and die literally if he's not careful oh my gosh"

*commentating*

"Quick everyone lets vandalize their building even more."

"Oh my gosh please just don't do it."

"He's going to drown."

"No don't die drowning underwater it will kill you instantly "

"Stop"

"Bro really said that I'm going to maybe die someday and choose that day to be today."

"He's crazy chat, oh my goodness."

"Oh my goodness please holy crap."

"Let me build or I will die, thats your only two choices here" (even after death bbh still having beef with richas that's crazy)

"Yippee!"

"Bro better-" ( looking to see if richas is wearing armor and then proceeds to find out he's wearing diamond pants)

"I've been wearing pants this whole time. "

"Someone who doesn't have their cosmetic armor off and they just see pants walking around."

"Mimi"

Back home

"Confused but following "

"Where am i?"

"He's still not wearing armor either "

Fin (I just realized that didn't bbh say he be recording his audio too? I just transcript all this for nothing I'm done on a serious note though it was fun to read the captions and hope you find slight entertainment in what I was able to capture lmk if I missed any which I probs did well im off) (also forgive me if I did some misspelling I did this really late)

Extra clip:

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angel-in-shibari · 1 year ago

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a slave's collar is their most important accessory. not only does it show that they're owned, but with stylization and customization, it can also show who exactly owns them. Mistress prefers a nice rose gold band with floral engravings. to the unsuspecting, it looks like a fancy metal choker or extravagant piece of jewelry. but to those who do know, it's true purpose is undeniable.

the collar is equipped with the obvious essential features: gps, microphone, motion trackers, proximity sensors, and various devices that monitor my every movement. of course, all those features would be pretty pointless if Mistress didn't have a way to control me. that's why there are five electrodes placed equidistant from each other at various points along my neck. the electrodes can be controlled manually by a secure program that only Mistress has access to. all five can be fired individually, with 25 levels of intensity. 1 is a mild tickle. 5 is a painful shock, but relatively manageable as long as it's not prolonged. 10 is enough to bring me to my knees as I cry and beg for her to stop. she has only ever used 11 once, and I blacked out immediately. as for 25... don't worry about it

the collar features an incredibly secure and tamper-proof locking system. as it's locked, various circuits are armed. if the lock is broken and those circuits are broken... um... well. maybe you're thinking I can just wait for the battery to drain completely before taking it off without issue. think again, because there are two batteries installed that last quite a long time without a charge. the collar itself doesn't use all that much electricity, but in the case that one battery is completely drained, it will switch to the second battery. both batteries can last about 5 months each, so I'd have to go almost a year without charging for it to even reach depletion. also, once the final battery reaches its last 5% of charge, all the remaining electricity is released at once through the electrodes at level 25 until there is nothing left. basically, my collar isn't coming off with me alive.

I never have to worry about low batteries, however. Mistress has installed a number of radio frequency wireless charging devices around her mansion, meaning that as long as I am inside, my battery remains at almost full charge. the only time it has ever dipped below 99.7% is one afternoon when Mistress was extremely mad at her father and decided to take her anger out on me. whatever makes her happy makes me happy. I'm glad that my suffering is cathartic for her.

alongside the chargers, proximity detectors are placed on the outside walls. if I get to close to an exit, Mistress is automatically notified and a level 1 shock is admitted. if I get even closer, the shock is amplified dramatically. stepping outside is a level 25. the only way I'm ever allowed outside is if Mistress manually disables the 'electric fence' as she calls it. but when she does that, she has a separate system that acts in a similar way that shocks me more the further away from her I get.

you might think that all of this is unnecessary. all these systems and programs are what you might call "exceptionally overkill" or "horribly sadistic" or "just plain cruel". but the main reason they exist actually isn't to keep me in line. even if trying to take my collar off didn't kill me, I wouldn't ever dream of removing it. I would never go outside unless Mistress made me, even without the electric fence active. even the 25 levels of shock are a display of power. I'm small enough that level 13 would probably be enough to kill me.

the reason all these things exist is actually to show everyone that every single aspect of my life is completely under Mistress's control. I already know it's pointless to try and escape or fight back. I realized that before the collar was ever locked around my throat. all the ways in which Mistress has power over me are already obvious to me. because these precautions aren't for me. they're for you. to terrify you, and show you exactly what happens to people who wrong my Mistress. unless you want to end up like me, I strongly recommend you stay on her good side.

#dosnsft #lesbian bd/sm #sadistic lesbians #//kidnapping #//slave #//shock collar #//stockholm #//brainwashing #//my writing

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clubdionysus · 10 months ago

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[BAD DECISION #19] Send To All

warnings: plot stuff!! no smut!!! another cw: jiyeong lol

a/n: this header not being square drives me insane and i could fix it but reuploads are laborious enough as it is lol

soundtrack: self-sabotage - waterparks (this is one of THE bd songs for me hehe)

wc: 3.5k

bd total wc: 540k (ongoing)

AO3 | MASTERLIST | MINORS DNI

If time flies when you're having fun, then you think it's fair to say you're having the worst day of your life.

Okay, so that's a little dramatic, but your shift has been excruciatingly slow; the hands of the clock above the door taunting you every time you glance in its direction. Admittedly, you are looking at it every 10 seconds or so, which is making it a hell of a lot more disappointing than it really ought to be.

From the desk, Hoseok watches you with sympathetic intrigue. You've cleaned the same empty table four times now just for something to do. Work is quiet, so distractions are limited.

You had only picked up an extra shift so you that didn't have to spend the entire afternoon letting your imagination run wild thinking about Jeongguk's date - but apparently, your mind didn't get the memo.

The thoughts trundle around your boardgame brain; passing 'go', collecting £200. It skips over the chance card tiles, and opts out of buying anything other than Mayfair. It's the only property you want, and yet you never seem to land on it. Sucks, but such is life.

"You'll wear a hole through the table if you keep scrubbing at it," Hoseok says softly as he takes the cloth from you.

"Sorry," you hum. An awkward smile is offered, as loose hairs fall around your face, glitter caught in the strands that dance in the low evening light. You're even more haphazard than usual today, Hoseok thinks. You choose to explain it away. "Just nervous about Tae's show. That's all. Trying to get a head start on things."

"It's an art space," he says warmly, not wanting you to think he's being critical. The way he smiles is gentle; the creases in the corner of his eyes are even more so. "No one is expecting it to be free of paint. If anything, quite the opposite."

He's right. You know it. It's why you make no opposition when he encourages you back to the desk, and guides you into the chair by the till. There's only one couple in the far corner. Young. Teenagers, maybe. You wonder if they'll make it through university. Likely not.

Cynical bint, you berate yourself. Plenty of people stay with their high school sweethearts. You'd met potentially the best example you'd ever seen of the cliche last night, in the form of the Min's.

You understand entirely why Yoongi adores Seoyeon, so. There had been an ease to her acceptance of you; as if she was inherently meant to nurture those around her, no matter how unfamiliar they may be. By the time you had left the Min's - a little tipsy and with Jeongguk's arm around your shoulders - you'd felt a warm sense of belonging in her company.

There's quiet concern on Hoseok's face a little while later as he watches you dip your bagel into a pot of cream cheese.

The magnitude of his concern only increases when you sink your teeth into the bread and tear it apart. You're like a tiger ripping apart raw flesh, he thinks.

The scowl that settles on your lips as you chew is only wiped away when you take a sip of your coffee - but there's still a frown polluting your expression.

It's sort of cute how your cheek bulges from the sheer amount of bagel your manage to stuff in there, but Hoseok's worried you'll choke.

"Want a knife?" he asks as you dip the bagel back into the pot.

You look at him - bagel clamped between your teeth, just about to be torn in two - and scowl. Yanking the bagel, you tear it even further apart. He gulps. Shouldn't have asked. Never interrupt a girl and her food. He knows this. Should have known better.

It's just a bad mood, you think. No need for Hoseok to look at you as if you have three heads.

Just a bad mood.

Across town, in a ceramic painting place you've been following on Instagram for ages now but have never visited, Jeongguk laughs.

There's a dimple sitting prettily in his cheek, his teeth on full display, nose a little bit scrunched. He's trying to be quiet - doesn't want to distract the rest of the people in the pottery studio - but there's something so damn funny about Jiyeong's inability to paint anything that even remotely resembles a frog.

She pouts, and lowers her brush. "Stop! I'm trying!"

But then she smiles, too.

No one else notices. They're all far too distracted by their own masterpieces.

It's annoying, because Jeongguk really has created a masterpiece.

Having both been totally clueless as to what to decorate their mugs with, the ceramics instructor suggested taking inspiration from their favourite childhood fairytales. Jeongguk had gone for Little Red Riding Hood - Jiyeong had taken great pleasure in telling him she'd been Little Red for Halloween - and Jiyeong had gone for the Princess and the Frog.

"I know," he grins, as he tries to pretend as if it's not the most god-awful frog he's ever seen. It's kinda cute. In a hideous, kind of way. "You're doing great - no! Really. You are it. It's like... an abstract version of the story."

"Look," she sighs, her pretty face all pouty and perfect despite her hardships. The smile on her face is genuine, and Jeongguk is sort of glad that she's not great at the whole 'art' thing. He doubts it would be half as much fun if she was any good. "Your friend never mentioned there'd be art involved - I fucking suck at arty things."

"Art is subjective-" he goes to reassure her, but she's having none of it. Shakes her head as she laughs. Makes him laugh too. It's easy. The flirting, the fooling around like kids in art class. Almost nostalgic. She's exactly the kind of girl he'd have gone for in his younger years - confident, a reckless tease, remarkably tactile. It makes him wonder why he ever strayed from his 'type'.

Hayun had been a bit of an anomaly. Different. She was a quiet one - cautious, but casual. Funny in a way that Jeongguk couldn't quite understand, but desperately wanted to. Reserved. His childishness had often been met with rolled eyes, and the lack of clear indication about her feelings made him insecure. Put him on edge. Even when they started hooking up. Actually, no. Especially when they had started hooking up.

His strangeness has been making a welcome comeback as of late, as noted by Yoongi a few months ago in Dionysus. You've helped in immeasurable ways. Ways you won't ever be able to understand.

It's Jiyeong's openness - the way she touches his arm, how she dabs at his fingers with her paintbrush - that lets him know she's interested. It stifles the fear. Fills him with confidence.

"You're allowed to say I suck," she grins, leaning into him a little bit. The scent of her perfume picks up in the electric heater, and he finds that he likes it. It's not his favourite, no, but it's pretty nice. Citrusy. He prefers things a little warmer, a little more vanilla. Toasted coconut. Sweet.

He momentarily loses his train of thought. Thinks about the way your hair had smelt in the bakery aisle of the supermarket. Thinks about the way he always lets his nose nestle into the crown of your head before you shower together. Thinks about your room, and how it smells like that - sweet, coconutty - and how the last time he'd been in your room, he'd been inside of-

NOPE.

That thought is very quickly pushed deep down into the darkness of his brain. He can't be thinking about that . Not now.

"Yeah, it's pretty fucking bad," he nods instead, turning his attention back to her mug.

It's impossible for her to take offence when he looks as sweet as he does. He's in a white shirt - bad choice, considering there are speckles of paint all over his arms and even a tiny bit on his cheek - and black slacks, but the look is pulled off so well.

In fact, his outfit is borderline identical to what he wore to the Min's. You'd said he'd looked good. Said that it would be a good date outfit. And so he'd listened, and had been proven right when Jiyeong complimented his style choice within the first five minutes of the date.

Admittedly, he'd complimented her first. Said that she looked nice, after about a thousand awkward, bashful smiles and half a dozen 'this is so weird,' and just as many 'I'm so sorry she forced you into this.'

Jiyeong had smiled, and assured him it was okay. "I'm glad she did."

And as Jeongguk meets you outside the gym the following morning, he can't help but agree.

He's still got a glow about him; fresh-faced and unwavering despite the rigorous workout you know he must have had. Part of you is glad. Him being at the gym means she at least didn't stay over - which would have been totally fine! You absolutely wouldn't have minded. Wouldn't have bothered you in the slightest . In fact, maybe it would have been better if she had stayed-

Okay, you can't even convince yourself that you believe it, but that's not the point.

He walks with his hands stuffed in his trouser pockets, shoulders a little hunched from the cold air. He's missing a jacket, which is unlike him, you think. You can't tell if there's a blush on his cheeks or if it's just windburn. Maybe both.

"Hello, Casanova," you greet him, smile fond, eyes earnest. The words are lively and melodic as they dance from your lips to his ears, yet the strings of your heart seem to pluck a little out of tune. You just need to adjust them slightly. Tune them. That's all.

"Don't call me that," he shakes his head - but he's smiling. There's a shyness to him. It's not all too unfamiliar, but it's something you've not seen in a while.

"So?" You beam, pushing it aside as you both begin to walk in the direction of 'home'. "How did it go?"

Jeongguk nods as he tries to formulate words. There's a smile on his lips. You can hear it as he speaks. "Good. Yeah... yeah, no, good. Really fun, actually."

"Okay, no, stop being coy," you laugh. "Give me details!"

Jeongguk pauses for a second as he tries to get a read on your face. There's nothing outwardly wrong, he thinks, but he notices that you're avoidant. Your eyes don't linger on his. The smile that comes with your laughter doesn't last as long as it usually does. He doesn't like it.

So he gives you what you ask for, because he thinks that might help. Maybe you've been nervous for him. It's his fault - he forgot to text you back last night, having gone for drinks after the ceramics place. Time had slipped away from him.

He tells you everything - how bad she is at painting (you enjoy this, because you like being better than her at least at something), how she'd suggested a drink afterwards, and how he'd walked her home at 2 AM because apparently neither of them wanted to stop talking. He tells you how he hadn't been brave enough to do anything other than walk, but she'd moaned about the cold and so he'd given her his jacket.

Poor Jeongguk had been so warm from soju and giddy from a date gone well that he hadn't even realised he was jacketless until he was about halfway home.

It explains his lack of a jacket now. You've a heat pack in your pocket. Part of you tells you not to pass it over to him. Would serve him right for being so careless.

And as much as you enjoy being a bitch, you also don't enjoy hearing his teeth chatter together. You say nothing as you pass it over, and push him toward the alleyway that leads up to his favourite brunch spot. At least going there will get him out of the cold.

"I'm so happy for you," you smile. You don't think you're lying. "I told you that you could do it!"

Jeongguk is slow in his reply again, almost as if he's weary of saying the wrong thing. It comes from a place of fear; memories of Hayun, and her reaction the first time Jeongguk had started seeing someone during their friendship. It had been before anything had developed between the pair of them, but it was the first time he'd clued up to the fact maybe she'd have been interested in more.

If he were to explain this, you'd tell him to fuck off for associating you so closely with her. You've never met her, but have convinced yourself that you couldn't be less like her even if you tried. You're nothing like the girl who broke his heart, and you never intend on being anything like her, either.

Then again, can't break his heart if the pair of you never fall for each other - and given the giddy smile on his lips all thanks to Jiyeong, you highly doubt that would ever be an option, anyways.

Seeing him like this - hopeful - makes your heart swell. He deserves happiness. Deserves the world. Or at least, deserves someone who makes him feel like he has the whole world in his palm whenever he holds them close.

"I owe you," he beams, as he beelines for his favourite booth, passing a quick nod to the cashier as she welcomes your arrival. It's so warm in the cafe that Jeongguk thinks he might die. The sudden temperature change is torture. "She, uh - she actually asked if I wanted to hang out next weekend, too. Obviously, I said no-"

"NO?! Obviously?!" You almost shriek, the back of your hand gently smacking against his arm. "You said no?! I thought you said it went well?!"

"It did!"

You don't understand why he's shrieking too, when he's the one who's gone and fucked up all of your hard work.

"Then why the fuck would you say no?!"

"Because!" he interrupts before you go off on a tangent, without hearing him out. "Next weekend is Tae's art show. Show on Saturday, and Sunday is free in case we get fucked up afterwards."

He shakes his head towards you, eyes wide, brows lifted, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world - and now that he's mentioned it, you think he's right.

Good, old, dependable Jeongguk. Wouldn't forget his friend's important events for anything. Not even one of the hottest girls in the whole downtown area could make him forget.

Though if you said this out loud, he'd smirk, and tell you that one of the hottest girls in the downtown area is the reason he remembers.

But it's Tae's event, not yours. He knows that you'd tell him off for framing things in such a way. Plus, the date with Jiyeong really did go well. The idea of acting a little sleazy just for a cheap joke doesn't appeal to him. It would feel distasteful.

And yet it feels wrong not to make the joke. A week ago? He would have done. Your dynamic, though largely unchanged, is different now. There are boundaries that come with dating; ones that he knows damn well to respect, no matter how early on it is.

He never wanted things between you to change. He'd have happily kept things as they were.

Progress has been made, though; a purpose has been served.

He'd never describe your friendship as transactional, but it seems to have worked out that way.

Makes him feel guilty. The feeling simmers in his stomach as he sits beside you, nibbling at his bottom lip. His hands are stuffed into his trouser pockets as he reclines into his chair; a little closed off, but not enough to make you question it.

It's only when you reach over to nudge him - and say, 'hey?' - that he realises he's completely zoned out.

"Hmm?"

"Invite her," you say softly. "To Tae's event. Invite her along. We could do with more guaranteed attendees, and I'm gonna be schmoozing people all night with Tae, so at least you'll have someone to keep you company."

Plus Nabi's invited and you really don't fancy having to deal with her. If Jiyeong can win her over, that's one less thing you have to worry about.

"Invite her?"

"Yeah?"

"You sure?"

"No," you say with so much sarcasm Jeongguk can't help but smile. "I just said it for the fun of saying things."

"That is the kind of thing you'd do," he defends with a cheeky little grin as he sits up straighter. "I just don't wanna... I don't know. Move too fast?"

"It's not like you're inviting her to meet your parents - unless you've also invited them to Tae's?"

"No," he laughs. "Of course I haven't."

"Then you're golden," you assure him.

An extra attendee is an extra attendee at the end of the day. Hell, you think you'd even let Hayun through the door if it looked better for Tae.

"On the subject of golden," Jeongguk sighs as he gets to his feet. "French toast? Iced Americano?"

You nod. Smile a little bashfully. Hate that he knows you so well. Watch him as he walks away, and admire his ass a little (in a friendly way). He's just been at the gym working on it, so you tell yourself he'd appreciate the 'appreciation'.

Your eyes are drawn from his 'assets' when his phone vibrates on the table. You don't let them linger, but you see very clearly that it's an incoming message from Jiyeong. You're not sure it would be considered 'friendly' if you 'accidentally' dropped his phone into the coffee of the woman sitting behind you, but you consider it for a moment. An impulsive thought. That's all. Like when you're driving, and think about the fact you could swerve off the road, or like when Jeongguk gets too close and you think that maybe you could kiss him.

Not anymore, though. That ship has sailed. Lost at sea. Never to be found again. Maybe one day, many many years from now, explorers will find the lost treasure: gold-adorned artworks, swathes of origami birds and more glitter than any single ship could ever hold. Or maybe they won't.

Maybe you're romanticising something that never was for something it will never be.

Who knows? Best not to tempt fate with such mindless dillydallying.

Especially not when you know you're gonna spend the next half an hour convincing him to text her back and just bloody invite her to the show.

You're not sure if you should be pleased or disappointed when it only takes fifteen minutes to convince him. Pleased, you suppose. That's what you tell him you are, at least.

And pleased is also what he is when she replies immediately saying that she'd 'love' to come. Asks for a dress code and a ticket price. Wastes no time. Keen .

(If you were gonna be a bitch (which for some reason is coming naturally today) you'd think she was desperate (but then you remind yourself that you set up this date (with her (because you knew she was keen (can hardly be annoyed about it now, can you? (Stupid))))).

"Cocktail dress, and no ticket price," you smile, as if your brain isn't exhausting you. "She's your plus one. Mates rates."

He asks if you're sure. You tell him yes.

You don't tell him that you've already put the cost of two tickets - yours and his - in the kitty. Everyone else is paying. The pair of you were never going to be an exception - supporting Tae's show is more important than an extra 15,000won in your bank account. You'll just add a little extra for Jiyeong's ticket. No biggie.

Once brunch is done, and Jeongguk has just about finished teasing you for texting the details of Tae's show to Seokjin (you thought the 'send to all' function could be your friend, but forgot that your own inability to delete his number is your biggest flaw), you head in separate directions. Both heading home.

And yet as Jeongguk presses his bedroom door shut only to see a paper bird propped up by his pillows, he can't help but feel like home is across the other side of the city.

Strange.

Not really, though.

Not when you're flopping face-first onto your bed with a groan, and a mumble of an acknowledgement that you'd really rather Jeongguk not bring his new squeeze along.

"Wassup?" Danbi calls through from her room.

Rolling onto your back, you sigh. Look at your ceiling, that's void of birds, and ignore the message that comes through from Seokjin, finally responding to the show invite.

"We have any wine in the fridge?" You call back through to her.

"Always."

"Wanna get fucked up?"

Danbi laughs. You hear her head to the kitchen, and the clink of wine glasses gently knocking together as she opens up the fridge. "Always."

AO3 | MASTERLIST | MINORS DNI

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